In Billings, the health and safety of our citizens and visitors is our top priority. While visiting our community, please be prepared for safety protocols and precautions.

• Masks are required in counties with more than four active COVID-19 cases, and strongly encouraged in all other counties, for individuals over 5-years-old in public indoor spaces and outdoor settings where social distancing cannot be maintained. Currently, Yellowstone County has more than four active cases.
• Know before you go: Know the local public health guidelines before arriving.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Understand some services may be limited in Billings and Yellowstone County.

There is no longer a 14-day travel-related quarantine in place. Governor Steve Bullock is asking visitors to do their part slow the spread of COVID-19, which means taking the same social distancing and sanitation precautions.

If you are traveling to Montana, some tourism amenities and services are open at a limited capacity for your health and safety. It is important to understand what is open and closed before arriving in the state.

Visitors to Montana should be aware travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic may vary on the seven Indian reservations in Montana. As tribal governments continue to assess public health risks, travel restrictions may change at any time depending on current conditions. Click here for detailed information on Indian Country.

Also, for the latest travel information for national parks (like Yellowstone) and monuments (think Little Bighorn Battlefield) in Montana, please visit the National Park Service’s website here: https://www.nps.gov/index.htm

Travelers can expect the Montana National Guard to continue to conduct screenings in airports and train depots and refer anyone with COVID-19-related symptoms to local public health officials.

To support Montana’s destination communities, the state will assist with establishing the following protocols:

• Establish test centers and ensure adequate supplies are available to meet resident, seasonal employee, and visitor needs within Montana’s most visited destination communities.
• Coordinate a community snapshot testing plan to create an early warning system for potential community spread in the most highly visited and highly vulnerable destination communities.
• Develop contingency plans for managing sick visitors, including contact tracing capabilities.

The CDC recommends older adults or people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions who are at risk for disease, should consider postponing nonessential travel. The State Department has advised that U.S. citizens abroad should return home unless staying for an indefinite period and that international travel should be avoided. For the latest international and national travel alerts, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

Illness Prevention

This is a rapidly changing public health situation and it’s important to stay informed by following reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The best way to prevent infection from COVID-19 and any respiratory virus is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The same preventative measures that are recommended during cold and flu season will also help to protect against coronavirus:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds using soap and water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow)
• Stay home if you are sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Wear a mask in public spaces or when social distancing cannot be achieved

If you have traveled to any destination during the past 14 days:

• Monitor your health and practice social distancing. Social distancing means staying out of crowded places, avoiding group gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
• If you get sick with a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:
  • Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
  • Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
  • Avoid contact with others.
• Do not travel while sick.

We urge the traveling public to stay informed, seek information from reputable sources, and take preventative measures like washing your hands to protect against COVID-19.