Whitefish council urges compliance with COVID rules
CHAD SOKOL | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
The Whitefish City Council has adopted a nonbinding resolution urging residents to follow public health guidelines such as masking and social distancing, while a city COVID-19 task force has begun reinforcing that message with downtown signage, a website and short videos featuring local business owners.
The council unanimously approved the resolution during a special meeting Monday after choosing not to tighten COVID-19 restrictions beyond those imposed by Gov. Steve Bullock and the Flathead City-County Health Department. The council previously imposed tighter restrictions on businesses during the Halloween weekend.
"We must stay safe throughout the holidays and continue our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19," City Manager Dana Smith said in a statement. "In passing this resolution, the city of Whitefish continues to distribute a unified message of encouraging its citizens and visitors to do the right thing by following current health directives."
Bullock's latest directive requires bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries and casinos to operate at 50% capacity and close by 10 p.m. every night, and it requires people across the state to don face coverings in buildings that are open to the public. Gatherings are capped at 25 people, but the city is urging people to limit them to 15 people whenever 6 feet of social distancing can't be maintained.
At least 51 people in Flathead County have died of COVID-19, and the county currently has more than 1,100 active infections, according to state data. Public health officials hope behavioral changes will continue to curb the spread of the virus until vaccines become widely available sometime in 2021.
Bullock's latest directive didn't alter restrictions on schools and places of worship, but Whitefish leaders are urging religious organizations to consider virtual services if social distancing isn't possible or practical. City leaders also are asking people to "reimagine" their holiday plans as Hanukkah comes to an end and Christmas approaches.
"We have to stay diligent to protect our vulnerable population," Smith said. "Though we are all fatigued at this point, now is the time to step up to make sure everyone is there when we get to gather again."
People can find a complete list of guidelines at the task force's website, whitefishcovidcares.com, and take a pledge to be entered into a giveaway for gift cards to local businesses.
Reporter Chad Sokol can be reached at 758-4434 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com