Gallatin Co. Health Dept. Reacts to Governor's No Mask Stance

Montana's mask mandate will expire on Friday (Feb 12), and Governor Greg Gianforte says that he will not institute a new one to take its place. When he became governor, Gianforte said he was for personal responsibility when it came to the issue of wearing masks. Tomorrow, the governor plans to allow the current mask mandate instituted by his predecessor to expire.

Thursday, the Gallatin City-County Health Department responded with a message on their Facebook page:

Don’t quit before the finish line! The Gallatin County’s emergency rule requiring the use of face coverings in indoor public spaces remains in effect through April 20, 2021. The Board of Health must vote to amend or extend this local public health rule.

You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a face covering.

Don’t quit before the finish line!
The Gallatin County’s emergency rule requiring the use of face coverings in indoor...
Posted by Gallatin County Health Department on Thursday, February 11, 2021

It's clear that the health board will not be lifting our local mask mandate anytime soon. Here's what some people had to say about the state's mask mandate going away and the health department's response to it.

Great job Gallatin county!! - Ryan

Since the law signed yesterday makes it impossible to sue for COVID related issues except in the case of gross negligence, and since lawsuits are the only means of enforcement the county health department has for its health orders, does this mean that when the governor's mandate goes away that you'll be asking us to obey rules you literally can't enforce? - Charles