Coronavirus Resource Links

Community is at the heart of everything we do…We are strategizing ways in which we can offer support in the midst of this unfolding situation, as well as once the pandemic subsides…Main Street America President, Patrice Frey.

5.7.21

Lewis and Clark Public Health would like to thank you all for your efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and for your steadfast compliance to the restrictions and rules in place to protect our community. After the passage of HB 257 into law this week, we will not be enforcing the face covering rule in Lewis and Clark County. However, there is still a risk from COVID-19 and its variants. In addition, only 46% of the population is fully vaccinated, which means that 54% are still at risk from this serious disease. We recommend you continue using precautions to protect the community and yourself from disease by:

Wearing a face covering/mask in indoor, public places.
Maintaining a separation of 6 feet from others.
Washing your hands or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Frequently cleaning and sanitizing all touched surfaces.
Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms and get tested.
Get vaccinated! See the Vaccine Hub for more detailed information on available locations. http://www.helenamontanamaps.org/LCPHCovid19HUB/

If we continue to care for each other and ourselves by using what we know works, we can keep our community safe and recover more quickly from the devastating impacts this pandemic has had on our lives, health, and our economy.

3.10.21

COVID-19 Restrictions Expected to be Lifted in the County this Week

The triggering criteria score for the Emergency Rules and Regulations is expected to fall below the lower threshold this week. When calculated on Thursday, March 11, if it falls below 18, all restrictions in the county will be lifted, except for those centered on face coverings. This will be effective Friday, March 12, 2021. With only a small percentage of residents vaccinated at this point and the looming threat of a highly transmissible variant, face coverings are vital to protect ourselves and each other while also getting back to a few normal activities.

The triggering criteria score is calculated every two weeks and posted on our decision making dashboard https://www.lccountymt.gov/health/covid-19/decision-making-dashboard.html. We must work together to keep that score low and protect our neighbors, friends, and business community.

Please continue to take personal responsibility and do the following:

Physically distance by at least 6 feet
Limit capacity in establishments as needed to keep that 6 feet of distance
Wear a face covering

All individuals over the age of 5 are required to wear face coverings in any indoor spaces open to the public and some outdoor public spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained. The face covering mandate will continue during the pandemic until the end of the emergency declaration or the Emergency Rules and Regulations are repealed by the Board of Health.

Stay home when you are sick
Avoid large gatherings

We do request that you provide an event plan for review with the understanding that conditions can change. If you have approved alternatives, then cancelation may not be needed.

Get vaccinated when it is available – See the COVID-19 Hub at: https://www.helenamontanamaps.org/LCPHCovid19HUB/

By doing these things, we will continue to keep our score low and limit the spread of COVID-19. Please call or email if you have questions or we can be of assistance.

2.26.21

Changes to the Lewis and Clark City-County Board of Health Emergency Rules and Regulations in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic are effective today, February 26, 2021 as listed below:

Schools and school activities, including graduation ceremonies, are exempt from the 250 person limit with an approved plan by Lewis and Clark Public Health.
Capacity – Gyms, restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Distilleries, and Casinos shall operate at a capacity and hours as determined by the triggering criteria reflective of community conditions.

- Operating hours have been extended from 4:00 am to 2:00 am in all gyms, restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos
- 24-hour operations are not approved at this time.
Table seating has been expanded to eight people per table.
- Dining establishments must provide for 6 feet of physical distancing between groups.
The Face Covering Requirement Rule and Regulation remains in effect until the end of the declared emergency or until removed by the Board of Health
The remainder of the rules and regulations remains unchanged.

The full text of the emergency rule is located on our web page: https://www.lccountymt.gov/fileadmin/user_upload/Health/Board_of_Health/Documents/Regulations/2020-02-25_-_Regulations.pdf

2.11.21

Great News! We are succeeding in reducing our risk of COVID-19 in Lewis and Clark County and therefore can make changes to the rules and regulations.

We have an updated Order of the Health Officer related to the emergency rules. The average two week score of 24.5 for the triggering criteria allows for discretion in implementing Rules and Regulations. The changes effective on Friday, February 12, 2021 are as follows:

Events and gatherings between 50 and 250 people require a plan be submitted for review and approval. This is increased from 25.
The maximum capacity of gyms, restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos has increased from 50% to 75% as long as the 6 foot physical distance can be maintained.

The remainder of the rules and regulations remains unchanged. Business hours remain restricted between 4:00 am and 12:00 am. Face coverings are still required in indoor public spaces and some outdoor spaces.

Please refer to the decision making dashboard at: https://www.lccountymt.gov/health/covid-19/local-covid-19-decision-making-dashboard.html for additional information.

A copy of the updated order is also on our webpage: https://www.lccountymt.gov/health/covid-19.html

Thank you for everything that you do to protect the health of this community!

1.15.21

A new directive has been issued by the Governor’s office that changes some of the restrictions set in place in response to COVID-19. However, Lewis and Clark County continues to require earlier closure times, reduced capacity, mask use, physical distancing and restrictions on event size. An event plan is required for any gathering between 25 and 250 participants. Events with more than 250 participants are not permitted.

On Dec. 18, 2020, the Lewis and Clark County Board of Health passed emergency rules and regulations meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the county. A copy of the Rules is located on our website: https://www.lccountymt.gov/health/covid-19.html

The regulations rely on a set of triggering criteria before they are enacted, including factoring in stresses on the health care system, testing capacities, and community compliance. Each of the criteria used to trigger the emergency regulations center on data taken from the health department’s Local COVID-19 Decision Making Dashboard. This can be found at https://www.lccountymt.gov/health/covid-19/local-covid-19-decision-making-dashboard.html Under the current emergency rules and regulations all of the requirements are in full effect including the requirement of face coverings.

The goal of these local regulations is to ensure the safety and protect those living in our community. The emergency rules and regulations are part of that protection. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 in our community and will let everyone know when local rules and regulations can be lifted.