Reopening Big Sky: The details
Nucleus Avenue at night.
Following is Gov. Steve Bullock’s three-phased plan for reopening the state. The plan details the factors that will determine when it is appropriate to move to the second phase.
According to the plan, local jurisdictions can enact guidelines that are more restrictive than the state guidelines.
• Beginning May 7 all schools have the option to return to in-classroom teaching delivery.
• The State recognizes that if reopened, schools will require the district to make adjustments and create plans, policies, and procedures.
• If schools plan to reopen they should consider:
• Implementing an alternative educational delivery model that includes a mix of in-person and remote learning.
• Providing focused individual education, especially for at-risk students.
• How to reconnect and meet the educational needs of students who fall behind in a remote learning environment.
• The importance of maintaining the connection between students, teachers, and parents.
• The important role that schools play in the health of students, families, and communities.
• Graduation environments that can meet the social distancing requirements.
Individuals
• ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS should continue to follow the stay-home guidance. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.
• Vulnerable Individuals: people over 65 years of age and/or those with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy.
• All individuals (non-household), WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others.
• Avoid GATHERING in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• MINIMIZE NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL and adhere to Montana guidelines regarding quarantine.
Employers
• Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
• When telework is not feasible it is encouraged to ACCOMMODATE ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULES such as shift work and staggered scheduling in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
• Close COMMON AREAS where personnel are likely to congregate and interact; or enforce strict social distancing protocols.
• MINIMIZE NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS TRAVEL.
• SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS should be made for members of a VULNERABLE POPULATION or those with vulnerable household members.
Specific Types of Employers / Activities
• SENIOR LIVING OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES must continue to prohibit visitors. Those who do interact with residents and patients must ensure strict protocols regarding hygiene and protection are followed.
• This includes daily screening of staff for symptoms and preventing ill workers from working.
• CHILD CARE FACILITIES can remain operational but should follow State and local guidelines regarding operational levels and occupancy.
• ORGANIZED YOUTH ACTIVITIES can consider becoming operational if physical distancing guidelines can be implemented. Avoid GATHERING in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• RESTAURANTS / BARS / BREWERIES / DISTILLERIES / CASINOS can become operational on or after May 4 under strict physical distancing and reduced capacity protocols in accordance with state guidelines.
• All patrons must be out of bars, restaurants, and casinos by 11:30.
• Capacity must be limited to 50% of normal operating capacity to allow for adequate group spacing.
• Tables must be limited to six people per table.
• Establishments must provide for 6 feet of physical distancing between groups and or tables by:
• Increasing table spacing, removing tables, or marking tables as closed;
• Providing for a physical barrier between tables; or
• Back-to-back booth seating provides adequate separation.
• In-house dining for quick service restaurants should remain closed, if all guidelines can’t be met, including the cleaning of every table between customers.
• Sitting or standing at bars or counters is not allowed.
• In bars, drinks and food must be served to customers at a table.
• Self-service buffets must be closed.
• Drink refills are not allowed.
• Self-service cups, straws and lids should be behind a counter and handed to customers
• Self-service condiments should be eliminated.
• Gaming machines that are operational must be separated by 7-foot center to center. Machines must be placed out of service ifadequate spacing cannot be assured.
• MAIN STREET AND RETAIL BUSINESSES can become operational on or after April 27 with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained.
• GYMS / POOLS / HOT TUBS remain closed.
• OUTDOOR RECREATION can become operational if sites adhere to strict physical distancing between groups and exercise frequent sanitation protocols if public facilities are open.
• PLACES OF WORSHIP can become operational on or after April 26 with reduced capacity and where strict physical distancing protocols can be maintained between non-household members. Avoid GATHERING in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• Other PLACE OF ASSEMBLY shall remain closed (e.g., movie and performance theaters, concert halls, bowling alleys, bingo halls, and music halls).
Gatherings may expand to 50 people.
•Vulnerable populations should continue to follow stay home guidance
• Gyms / Pools / Hot Tubs can become operational.
• In addition to houses of worship, other places of assembly can become operational under the group size restrictions and physical distancing guidelines in this phase.
Individuals and Employers
• Avoid GATHERING in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL guidelines remain the same as PHASE ONE for individuals traveling into Montana and for Montanans returning home.
• VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS should continue to adhere to the stay home guidance.
• Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK as much as possible and where feasible but refer to guideline in PHASE ONE when telework is not possible.
• SENIOR LIVING OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES must continue to follow the guidelines of PHASE ONE.
• CHILD CARE FACILITIES can increase capacity if physical distancing guidelines can be implemented.
• ORGANIZED YOUTH ACTIVITIES remain operational and should avoid GATHERING in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• ALL BUSINESSES can remain operational and must adhere to physical distancing.
• RESTAURANTS / BARS / BREWERIES / DISTILLERIES / CASINOS remain in the same operational status as PHASE ONE, but with an increase in capacity.
Capacity may be increased to 75% of normal operating capacity.
• Tables must be limited to 10 people per table.
• Establishments must continue provide for physical distancing between groups and or tables but may increase capacity.
• In-house dining for quick service restaurants should remain closed if all guidelines can’t be met, including the cleaning of every table between customers.
• GYMS / POOLS / HOT TUBS can become operational with reduced capacity and only if they can adhere to strict physical distancing and they exercise frequent sanitation protocols.
• OUTDOOR RECREATION remain in the same operational status as PHASE ONE.
• PLACES OF ASSEMBLY can become operational with reduced capacity and must adhere to physical distancing. Avoid GATHERING in groups of more than 50 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing.
No limit on group size.
Vulnerable populations can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, and continue to take precautionary measures.
Individuals and Employers
• ALL INDIVIDUALS and EMPLOYERS should continue to operate consistent with updated CDC guidelines.
• For ALL INDIVIDUALS there is no limit on group size, however everyone should consider minimizing contact time with others and limit time spent in crowded environments.
• VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, and continue to take precautionary measures.
• Employers can resume FULL STAFFING of workplaces.
• Visits to SENIOR CARE FACILITIES can resume. Those who interact with residents and patients must be diligent regarding hygiene.
• ALL BUSINESSES / PLACES OF ASSEMBLY can remain fully operational with awareness of physical distancing.
• GYMS / POOLS / HOT TUBS can remain fully operational but must still exercise frequent sanitation protocols.
• OUTDOOR RECREATION Interstate tourism travel resumes. Campground, group-use facilities, playgrounds and visitor centers are fully open.
• There is no limit on GROUP SIZE during this phase, however PHYSICAL DISTANCING should still be observed.
• Continue to follow GUIDELINES FOR ALL PHASES.