Businesses across Montana are beginning to reopen after Gov. Steve Bullock last week lifted a statewide stay-at-home order that had been in place due to the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the governor’s three-phase plan, some retail businesses were allowed to reopen beginning April 27, with social distancing measures in place. Restaurants, bars and casinos can reopen beginning May 4 with limited capacity and social distancing measures.

In Lake County, retail businesses that are not tribally owned or operated were allowed to reopen on Monday. CSKT Tribal Council, however, is continuing to operate under its stay-at-home order and will revisit the issue in May.

Lake County remained at five confirmed cases of COVID-19, as of Tuesday. Local health providers had submitted 366 specimens for testing. Of those, 354 have been negative and seven are pending.

Lake County Public Health stated that the county’s “low case numbers support the decision to allow businesses to open per the governor’s directives, and we are comfortable in moving forward cautiously.”

Meanwhile, Tribal Council Chairwoman Shelly Fyant said the Tribes are taking a “more conservative approach.”

“Moving forward, we’ll continue to shelter in place and attempt to protect all the people of the reservation,” she said.

Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron in a public statement alongside Fyant stated that the county’s decision to follow Bullock’s reopening plan “wasn’t an easy decision” and that many conversations with health officials took place.

He noted that the recently established unified command between the county the Tribes in response to the virus will continue.

“It’s more important than ever that we stay in that system,” Barron said. “What we have to prepare for is, what happens if we do get an influx of cases.”

Barron noted that easing restrictions doesn’t mean businesses have to reopen if they’re not comfortable with it.

“Do what fits you and what you’re comfortable with,” he said.

“We all do really care about each other and we want what’s best for everyone,” Barron said about the county and Tribes plans for reopening the economy.

During phase one of Bullock’s reopening plan, all vulnerable individuals – those 65 and older or with underlying health conditions – should continue to follow stay-at-home guidance. The state is also restricting gatherings of 10 or more people and will encourage individuals to restrict non-essential travel.

Places of worship were allowed to open Sunday with strict social-distancing protocols between non-household members.

Other places of assembly – such as gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys and concert halls – must all remain closed during phase one.

Hair and nail salons, body art and massage businesses are among those were allowed to reopen Monday, with recommendations for fewer customers, screening them for symptoms, that employees and customers use non-medical face masks and that “stations” be 6 feet apart.

If remote work or telework is not an option, employers are encouraged to create alternate work schedules such as shift work and staggered scheduling to adhere to social-distancing guidelines. Employers should also close off common areas where employees are likely to congregate.

Restrictions on travel will continue to remain in place. Out-of-state travelers will be required to quarantine for 14 days, as well as Montanans who are returning from travel out of state.

The decision to begin reopening the state’s economy was made based on case numbers, hospital capacity and the economic effects of the virus, Bullock said.

“I’m not putting an expiration date on phase one,” Bullock said. “Our new normal is going to look different. This virus isn’t gone from Montana. So as we turn to support our Main Street businesses and get more families back to work during this time – as we should – we must also be sure to continue looking out for those around us and protecting everyone around us.”