HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Hill County Health Board held an online meeting on Friday afternoon to update the public on their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board says businesses and residents have been following the Stay-at-Home order, with no citations having been issued for lack of compliance.
If the Governor extends the Stay-at-Home directive to April 24th as he’s said he anticipates doing, the county will likely continue to order golf courses closed during that time.
As of Friday afternoon, 33 Hill County residents have been tested for COVID-19. One came back positive, 27 came back negative and five were pending.
Hill County Health Officer Jessica Sheehy says that Montana National Guard personnel have arrived in Havre to screen those arriving on Amtrak.
“They are essentially ambassadors and assistants of public health. They aren’t going to be armed, they’re not going to be chasing people down, they aren’t going to be entering the train. Essentially it’s for people who are saying their final destination is Havre. Those people will be briefly screened and be asked to do a temperature. And further screening from there if they have a temperature.”
Sheehy also announced a new county order that will take effect at 12:01 AM Saturday morning. It states that essential businesses must move their operations to appointment only. Exceptions include:
- Stores that sell groceries and medicines
- Convenience stores with attached gas stations
- Pharmacies
- Hardware and supply stores
- Food and beverage production and agriculture
- Restaurants and other facilities providing consumption off-premises
- Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pickup services
- Organizations that provide charitable and social services
- Hotels and Motels
- Residential facilities and shelters
This order does not restrict public access to Health Care and Public Health Operations; Human Services Operations; Essential Infrastructure, or Governmental Functions.
The county has also created the email address hchb@hillcounty.us, where people can send questions comments or concerns.
The next Hill County Health Board online meeting is scheduled for 1 PM on Friday, April 10th.
