Board of Health Cancels Friday’s Meeting

The Gallatin City-County Board of Health announced on Thursday that they are cancelling Friday's special meeting that had been scheduled for 7 a.m. Issuing a press release, the Board of Health said, "After reviewing the governor’s directive and seeking advice from legal counsel, the Board of Health has determined that moving ahead on a local emergency rule should be postponed until next week in order to meet state public notice requirements."

The day of that new meeting next week has yet to be determined. All public comment that has been received is still being considered by the Board, and they will accept public comment through video or telephone at next week's meeting.

Friday's meeting had originally been on Tuesday, but was abruptly cancelled when the board felt that some of the crowd had become unruly. Those without chairs inside the Commons, where the meeting was being held, were asked to move into the hallway or outside, and they refused to do so. It was at that point, the Board cancelled the meeting.

After the Board rescheduled their meeting for Friday, Governor Steve Bullock issued a mask mandate yesterday for all Montana counties with four or more active COVID-19 cases. In those counties, residents are mandated to wear masks inside businesses, stores, and restaurants. Click here for the Governor's Mask Directive. This led to today's rescheduling of the latest Health Board meeting.

The Board reminds people that regardless of their actions, "the governor’s directive on face coverings remains in effect and all residents of and visitors to Gallatin County should abide by those requirements to wear face coverings in certain public settings.

If you would like to comment to the board at next week's meeting (date to be determined, you'll need to register using the button below. If you do not want to make a comment, you can live stream the meeting using the bottom button.

The meeting will focus on face masks and also an extension of the Board's emergency rule requiring people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to remain in isolation until they are no longer contagious.