THE LOCAL NEWS OF THE MADISON VALLEY, RUBY VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Lodging Restriction Order

MCBPH orders cancelations.

All motels, hotels, guest ranches, RV sites, camping, short term rentals, and guiding and outfitting services must cancel reservations for nonessential purposes on or before April 30. The Madison County Board of Public Health signed the order Thursday night. 

The MCBPH has the authority to adopt regulations… for the control of communicable disease and adopt quarantine and isolation measures,” including business closures under state law. Governor Steve Bullock has ordered social distancing requirements and for Montanans to stay at home in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Non-essential social and recreational gatherings where it is difficult to maintain at least six feet away from others outside the home are prohibited. People are allowed to leave their homes for essential purposes, to operate essential businesses and operations and outdoor activity, provided that individuals comply with social distancing requirements. 

Lodging and rentals are available for essential purposes, which include government officials traveling or residing for work purposes, personnel responding to the COVID-19 emergency, family members of individuals seeking medical treatment in or around Madison County, displaced individuals due to domestic violence and individuals who a healthcare professional has advised to quarantine outside of their home. 

People who are currently staying at lodging facilities for nonessential purposes have 48 hours to leave. Refunds, rescheduling or cancellations is at the discretion of the impacted businesses. 

The MCBPH order is meant to mitigate Madison County’s substantial tourism traffic and comply with social distancing requirements. The novel virus can survive on surfaces for a long period of time and it can infect individuals without causing obvious symptoms. According to the MCBPH, the nature of the COVID-19 coronavirus increases the risk that people sheltering in lodging facilities for nonessential purposes will spread the virus to customers and staff. 

Violators of the order may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined between $10 and $200 for each day of violation.  

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The Madisonian

65 N. MT Hwy 287
Ennis, MT 59729
406-682-7755
www.madisoniannews.com

Cori Koenig, editor: editor@madisoniannews.com
Susanne Hill, billing: s.hill@madisoniannews.com 
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