Governor Pete Ricketts is taking action to slow the spread of COVID-19 by implementing changes to the Directed Health Measures.
On Monday morning, Governor Ricketts announced the changes to the DHM, noting that the update will cover the entire state, effective Wednesday morning. At gyms/fitness centers, health spas, restaurants, bars, gentlemen and bottle clubs, weddings, funerals, indoor gatherings and churches, parties are required to maintain six feet between themselves and other parties. Parties will be considered household members only for churches, weddings and funerals
Masks will be required for everyone at salons, barbershops, massage therapy, bowling alleys, pool halls, body art establishments and other indoor businesses where staff and patrons are within six feet of each other for more than 15 minutes. Patrons at bars who participate in games such as pool will be required to wear a mask when not eating or drinking.
Attendance at all indoor youth extracurricular activities will be limited to household members and participants only. Those in attendance will be required to maintain social distancing.
Bars and restaurants will be allowed to remain open for dine in at 100 percent of rated occupancy, though there will be a required six feet of separation between tables. Patrons will be required to remain seated unless placing an order, using the restroom or playing games. Parties greater than eight people will be required to split into multiple tables. Self-serve buffets and salad bars will be permitted.
Churches will see no limit on occupancy, though social distancing between household units is required.
All indoor gatherings will be limited to 25 percent of rated occupancy, while outdoor gatherings will remain at 100 percent of rated occupancy. Six feet of separation will be required between groups of people, with the number of people in a group capped at eight.
At wedding receptions, dances will be permitted if individuals remain at their tables and follow social distancing requirements.
Governor Ricketts said the changes to the DHM are in an effort to maintain hospital bed availability as hospitalizations peaked on Monday with 794 people hospitalized statewide. The changes will remain in effect until at least Nov. 30.