[2] As of June 4, 2021, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MDPHHS) has reported 112,260 positive cases and 1,632 deaths in the state.
[2][6] Late on March 14, the governor's office announced the confirmation of two more positive cases, both of which are from Missoula County: a woman in her 30s who was identified as the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education and a man in his 50s.
In addition, the governor ordered the suspension of all nursing home visits with the exception of end-of-life situations.
[8] The city of Helena was placed under a 10-day-long state of emergency by Mayor Wilmot Collins on the afternoon of March 16.
Billings Clinic had confirmed contracts for refrigerated trucks for possible use as a temporary morgue.
[38] On December 8, the Billings Clinic reported they only had four remaining ICU beds out of 56 total, and had discharged 454 COVID-19 patients since October 9.
[41] Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins placed the city under a state of local disaster emergency on March 16, 2020.
Lasting 10 days, the emergency declaration activated the response and recovery units of all city disaster plans.
This also allowed for the possibility to declare a curfew or quarantine, though city officials said that none had been decided at that time.
[9] Governor Bullock announced major closures in establishments that seat many people, including restaurants, alcohol beverage businesses, cigar bars, gyms and health clubs, movie theaters, nightclubs, bowling alleys, and casinos on March 20.
[43] On April 3, Governor Bullock announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits would no longer require interviews.
The supply of commodities provided through food banks, by tribal partners, and senior centers would be doubled.
[45] On July 15, Governor Bullock announced that masks would be required at enclosed public spaces in counties that currently have three or more active cases.
[46] In September, eight staff members from the Missoula City-County Health Department spent two weeks working with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe to help set up a response effort.
[37] On April 17, 2020, the governor announced that he is working with a newly appointed COVID-19 task force on a "phased reopening" of Montana.
[50] In September 2021, Governor Gianforte opposed the federal vaccine mandate for employers with more than 100 employees.
[55] In the beginning of June 2020, the state began free, state-wide testing of asymptomatic individuals.
[60] Starting on May 15, 772 additional tests for coronavirus per month were made available to asymptomatic inmates and staff in Montana's prisons and correctional facilities.