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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhonda Johnson, Public Information Officer, Big Horn County (406) 679-0572 Big Horn County Health Department Announces New Order to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 Reminds Residents to Take Precautions HARDIN, MONTANA (June 5, 2020) – The Big Horn County Local Health Officer, with the approval of the County Public Health Board, today ordered additional requirements as a result of the increase in COVID- 19 cases in Big Horn County, including a recent death caused by COVID-19. These measures are in addition to the Directives issued by Governor Steve Bullock for the State of Montana and, as allowed under the Governor’s Directives, where the local order is more restrictive, the local order shall be followed. Under the Order, the Local Health Officer or Public Health Nurse may quarantine or isolate persons who are infected with or have been exposed to COVID-19. Those isolated or quarantined individuals will be asked to sign and adhere to an agreement with Big Horn County Public Health to maintain their quarantine or isolation for the safety of themselves and others in the community. The Order also requires that: • Employees at all businesses in Big Horn County must have their temperature checked before starting work and every eight hours while on shift. No business will allow an employee with a temperature of over 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit to work. • All establishments that provide any type of food service or sales, including restaurants, convenience and grocery stores, bars, and casinos, as well as lodges, shuttle services, long-term rental units (such as VRBO, Home Away, and Airbnb), campgrounds, and parks, must require employees to wear masks for the protection of their customers and must follow strict sanitation guidelines; • Beginning June 13, 2020 at 12:31a.m., those establishments must also offer and encourage the wearing of masks to customers; • All dine-in establishments, bars, and casinos must revert to 50% seating capacity, or the maximum allowed while still providing social distancing, whichever is less, and no more than six seated per table if the patrons arrive and leave together; self-service food bars and dining counters remain closed; all patrons must vacate establishments at or before 12:30 a.m. local time; • Dining establishments, gyms, theaters, and museums that have not reopened must provide a written reopening plan and have it approved by the Local Health Officer prior to reopening; • Barber shops, salons, and massage therapy businesses need to maintain social distancing and follow strict sanitation guidelines; • Gatherings of up to 50 people or the maximum allowable to provide for social distancing, whichever is less, are allowed when strict social distancing can be maintained; and, ---PAGE BREAK--- Page 2 of 2 • Gatherings, including but not limited to worship services, wedding ceremonies, and funeral services, may have up to 100 people or the maximum allowable to maintain social distancing, whichever is less. However, receptions after services or ceremonies, are limited to 50 people, or the maximum allowable to maintain for social distancing, whichever is less. The maximum number of people allowed to sit at a table is six Everyone in attendance at any gathering must be offered a mask. Public Health wishes to remind all residents of Big Horn County of the best ways to prevent the transmission of this virus: stay home; wash your hands thoroughly and often; clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces and items; wear a mask when in public; stay at least six feet away from other people; and avoid travel out of the County if at all possible. And if you are feeling sick, do not go to work or leave your home; rather, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. To view the full Order, please visit the Big Horn County website at Big Horn County is the sixth largest county in Montana, at approximately 5,023 square miles, and with a population exceeding 13,000. The local government was established January 13, 1913. Hardin is the County Seat. For more information about the County’s COVID-19 response, please visit our Facebook page at