Bullock: Most schools in Montana will be required to use masks

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Wednesday issued a directive requiring all K-12 schools, both private and public, to require face coverings for students and staff in counties that have four or more active coronavirus cases.

The state will use Cares Act funding to help schools pay for masks and other cleaning equipment.

The state has allocated $56 million to schools through the Cares Act toward mitigating coronavirus impacts.

The School District 6 Board earlier this week also made face coverings mandatory for its students, unless they have a medical condition.

Bullock said the state need to follow the guidance of the science that comes from not just state health experts, but the federal government.

He said he was worried about schools that weren’t requiring masks, but just recommending them.

“I fear it won’t be enough to keep teachers and students safe,” he said.

Bullock reminded people just how contagious the virus can be. In Phillips County, a group of adults participated in a sporting event, went to a bar afterward, and the county went from zero cases to 68 in a matter of days.

Schools start in the coming weeks. Columbia Falls Schools start on Aug. 31. parents have the option to send students to school, or have them take remote learning classes.

The governor also announced grant funding for live entertainment businesses that have been impacted by the virus and its subsequent restrictions.

The Live Entertainment Grant Program will provide up to 25 percent of a business’ 2019 gross revenue or a maximum of $1 million per applicant. The program is available to Montana based businesses and non-profits in the live entertainment business, and whose revenues primarily come from live entertainment events. Applicants must have derived at least 33 percent of their 2019 revenue from sale of tickets for live events and must be operating at less than 10% of last years’ revenue.

Bars, restaurants, and other facilities whose primary business is anything other than live entertainment are not eligible.

Applications will be evaluated on a first-come first-serve basis and will be open on August 12 at covidrelief.mt.gov.

Additionally, Bullock announced a grant program for businesses located along the east edge of Glacier National Park, which have hit hard by the pandemic due to ongoing closures on that side of the park. Many businesses are entirely dependent on visitation to keep their operations running throughout the year.

Tourism reliant businesses in the East edge of Glacier National Park may be eligible to apply for a grant for up to 25 percent of their 2019 gross revenue or up to $40,000. To be eligible, businesses must be located along the eastern edge of Glacier National Park in the immediate vicinity of East Glacier, St. Mary or Babb and must be Montana-based. The application will be available next week on covidrelief.mt.gov