Montana Drops Statewide Mask Mandate

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has lifted the statewide mask mandate fulfilling a pledge he made to end the mandate as the state enacts a COVID-19 liability shield law. Senate Bill 65 is intended to shield businesses, nonprofits, churches and health care providers from most lawsuits over people catching the virus on their premises. The passage of that bill meant the end of the statewide mask mandate, but not necessarily the end of masks altogether. Several cities and counties are keeping local mask requirements. Among those are Lewis and Clark, Gallatin, Butte-Silver Bow and Missoula counties. Just over 4% of Montana residents have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.