Since the start of Montana’s coronavirus outbreak in March, government and public health officials have wrestled with how to keep tourists, short-term renters and snowbirds at bay while the state battles positive cases among its own residents.

Gov. Steve Bullock’s plan for reopening Montana requires out-of-state travelers quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state for the first two phases of his three-phase plan. And in the valley, where many non-residents flock for the spring and summer seasons, Flathead County’s Public Health Officer Hillary Hanson said informing travelers of these guidelines will be a group effort.

Hanson said roadside signs will inform those traveling by vehicle of the directive and members of the National Guard who have been temporarily stationed at local Amtrak stations and airports will assist in spreading the information as well. In addition, Hanson said all rental properties, including hotels and vacation rentals, are required to notify patrons of the quarantine rule.

A handful of property owners appear to be abiding by this rule already via websites such as Airbnb, Trulia and Craigslist where several listings discuss the 14-day rule in rental descriptions. For example, one listing for a Whitefish property on Trulia states “IMPORTANT: Any out-of-state renter will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days as safety to our community is of paramount importance!”

Short-term rental owners in Montana have created challenges for the state’s outbreak in recent months.

In March, the Montana Free Press reported a surge in activity on sites such as Airbnb where some property owners were inviting prospective tenants to come and quarantine. According to the article, Airbnb data showed Whitefish’s vacation rental revenue estimates jumped from $1.1 million to $2.1 million year over year in March — a troubling increase that prompted Whitefish city officials to order short-term rental and lodging properties to halt reservations.

This ordinance was recently extended through May 10 by order of the Whitefish City Manager. Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld discussed the extension and quarantine rule in a video that was recently added to explorewhitefish.com

“I emphasize, you cannot leave for groceries, public outdoor recreation, to go to work or any other activity. You must remain at your place of quarantine for the duration of the quarantine period,” Muhlfeld urges in the video.

EVEN WITH these requirements in place, enforcing the 14-day quarantine rule will be a challenge, considering there is no entity solely dedicated to monitoring and tracking short-term rental, tourist or snowbird activities. Community members are, for the most part, expected to be self-policing on the matter.

However, Hanson said the county will “be following the same protocols for enforcement we have been following for all COVID-19 for both businesses and quarantined individuals” which is “done in collaboration with the County Attorney’s office.”

During a recent Flathead County Health Board meeting, Hanson discussed these enforcement efforts.

She said when the health department is notified that coronavirus-related orders are being violated, the department first makes contact with that property owner or business to discuss state and county directives at length, because more often than not, Hanson said people believe their service is considered “essential” when it isn’t.

Most times, violators are issued warnings. If they continue to provide services after initial warnings — something Hanson emphasized only a handful have done — then they are cited and that information is passed along to the Flathead County Attorney’s Office for further investigation.

Hanson also told Health Board members the current enforcement process “is not perfect,” and emphasized how, prior to the coronavirus outbreak, there were no guidelines in place for such enforcement efforts because Montana had yet to experience such large-scale business closure directives.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com.