HELENA — Leaders in Jefferson County have implemented their own local mask mandate.
County health officer Sandy Sacry and health board chair Christina Binkowski signed off on the new directive on Friday. It says businesses, schools, government offices and other indoor spaces must continue to require masks for those age 5 and older, except when they are eating, exercising or doing other allowed activities.
In the directive, leaders said they still believe protective measures like masking are needed in the county – particularly until more vulnerable people have the chance to get vaccinated against COVID-19. They said they will keep reviewing the number of new COVID cases and vaccination data as they decide whether to continue these measures.
Jefferson County – unlike neighboring Lewis and Clark County – didn’t already have a local mask mandate in place when Gov. Greg Gianforte lifted the statewide mandate on Feb. 12. That meant that, for about one week, it left businesses in the county to decide whether or not to require masks.
You can view the full directive on the Jefferson County website.