MISSOULA — Several counties have ordered restrictions on restaurants, bars, casinos, and other food-drink establishments in response to growing concerns about the spread of coronavirus and comes after the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued guidance to restrict events to fewer than 50 people, and the growing evidence supporting social distancing, or the avoidance of large groups of people and close contact.
The affected counties as of Monday, March 16, include Yellowstone, Butte-Silver Bow, Gallatin, and Missoula; click here for details. The decision is causing concerns for many people in the food-service industry.
“I thought it was a knee jerk reaction, I thought it was too much too late,” said Kevin Head, the co-owner of Rhino in Missoula.
The health department states they’re following US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance and trying to promote social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite their intentions, the decision has sent panic through the service industry.
“Because of this reaction, now you’re also dealing with a vulnerable group of workers in the service industry,” said Head, “Many who depend on their checks each week and live paycheck to paycheck.”
China Garden Restaurant owner Chau Pham echoed Head’s sentiments, "This is a hard time for all of us...for all the small businesses in town.”
While bars will close completely, and dine-in services are a no-go, restaurants can still offer take-out, delivery, and drive-through services. However, every day that those restaurants and bars sit empty, is another day of worry for the employees who rely on tips to meet their financial needs.
“So much of what our folks depend on are tips, and tips mean so much," Head said.
Pham -- who has run the China Garden for 37 years -- is also worried about her employees and is asking for the community’s support. By continuing to buy take-out, her employees have job security. “For 37 years my customers have been supporting me,” she said."They’re just like my friends and family. We love them and they love us, but with this kind of virus we want everyone to stay home and stay safe."
As for local pubs, there’s not much you can do until they’re able to open their doors again. “When the restaurants and bars open again, please come out and support them. We need that help,” said Head.
The Missoula City-County Health Department plans to lift the restrictions on March 24.
The City-County Health Department in Great Falls says that as of 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16, there are NO confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cascade County. More than 20 samples have been sent to the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) lab in Helena to date, and all have come back negative.
Trisha Gardner, the CCHD Health Officer said that Cascade County “anticipates sending samples daily” from healthcare providers to both state and commercial labs. “It’s excellent news that we still don’t have COVID-19 cases in Cascade County,” Gardner says. “However, we are continuing to work with community partners to prepare our response and mitigation efforts.”
The CCHD also said that while several counties across Montana have decided to close or limit what services restaurants and bars can offer, Cascade County has opted not to issue an order to impose restrictions on such establishments at this time. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will carefully weigh any decisions with the potential to create significant economic impact and disruption," said Gardner. Click here to see the list of Montana counties that have implemented restrictions.
- Bullock directs two-week closure of public K-12 schools in Montana
- Two COVID-19 cases confirmed in Missoula County; total in Montana is now six
- How the coronavirus closure will affect Great Falls Public Schools
- Officials in Cascade County address coronavirus concerns
- CDC: Cancel or postpone all events with more than 50 people for next 8 weeks
- St. Patrick's Day parade and other events canceled due to coronavirus
We will keep you updated as we get more information about the impacts of coronavirus across Montana.We do not have all of the information about how this will affect communities across the region in this developing situation, as new information is being released almost hourly from many sources; we are working diligently to get more information and will keep you updated as we get details. If you have a question about a specific event, agency, or business, we recommend that you call the organizer or organization directly.
As of Monday, March 16, DPHHS has tested a total of 204 people for COVID-19; six of those results have been positive. The state currently has the capacity to test approximately 850 more people, and anticipates receiving more tests from the CDC as needed. Click here to visit the DPHHS website. DPPHS says that COVID-19 testing is available 7 days a week; for information about testing, call 1-800-821-7284. Here is the information that has been publicly released about the six patients:
- Missoula County: woman in her 30s
- Missoula County: man in his 50s
- Gallatin County: man in his 40s; recovering at home; acquired through international travel
- Yellowstone County: woman in her 50s; recovering at home; rcquired through international travel
- Silver Bow County: man in his 50s; recovering at home; acquired domestically in affected areas out of state
- Broadwater County: a man in his 50s who sought care in Lewis and Clark County; recovering at home; acquired domestically in affected areas out of state
In addition to the six confirmed cases actually IN Montana, there is a seventh Montanan confirmed to have COVID-19. That person, from Lake County, is a part time Montana resident with no documented exposures or close contacts in Montana, and was not tested in Montana. She was tested and diagnosed in Maryland, where she currently is residing.
