Blackfeet Tribe issues mask rule as virus spreads in Montana
The St. Mary entrance to Glacier National Park, which borders the Blackfeet Nation, remained closed during summer 2020 as Blackfeet officials implemented strict measures in an effort to keep COVID-19 off the reservation. (Aaron Bolton/Kaiser Health News)
HELENA (AP) — The Blackfeet Reservation east of Glacier National Park reinstated a mask mandate on Monday after 18 cases of COVID-19 were identified in recent days.
The mandate comes even as over 80% of reservation residents are fully vaccinated against the virus. In addition to a mask requirement, the tribe announced that its offices would be closed to the public.
The tribe also suspended nonessential travel for tribal programs and departments. The travel restriction does not apply to tourists.
The Blackfeet Reservation has allowed tourists to return this summer after closing to visitors last summer to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The tribe's announcement comes as Montana is experiencing increased spread of COVID-19, with several hot spots including the Flathead Valley.
The state announced 473 new cases on Monday, bringing the number of active cases in Montana to over 2,700.
The state had 191 COVID-19 related hospitalizations on Monday, a number last recorded in January.
Of the state's eligible population, 49% are fully vaccinated against the virus, state health officials reported.
Figures from last month showed that of those hospitalized with the virus, 89% had not been vaccinated.
Gov. Greg Gianforte has urged Montana residents to get vaccinated, but he rescinded a statewide mask mandate issued by his predecessor, former Gov. Steve Bullock, and signed legislation that effectively prohibits mask requirements enacted locally.