Montana governor lifts COVID-19 state of emergency

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) announced on Wednesday he would end the coronavirus state of emergency, in part citing a decline in hospitalizations amid the state’s vaccination efforts. 

There has been an average of 50 new coronavirus cases in the state per day with almost half of the residents fully vaccinated, The Associated Press reported.

“Montanans can be proud of the work they’ve done to overcome this pandemic and take care of themselves and each other. Working together, we have come through this stronger on the other side,” Gianforte said.

Today in Billings, I officially ended the pandemic-related state of emergency in Montana.

Montanans can be proud of the work they’ve done to overcome this pandemic and take care of themselves and each other. Working together, we have come through this stronger on the other side. pic.twitter.com/HS4K5wGTcj

— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) June 30, 2021

“Of course if there was new data, we would take different action,” Gianforte said about the concern over the Delta variant. “But I’m pleased to report to Montanans that as of today we’ve rescinded the emergency order and we’re back to normal.” 

A mask mandate and occupancy limits has already been lifted in the state with half the state’s eligible residents already fully vaccinated, AP reported.

In other parts of the west, Los Angeles County reversed its mask policy since the Delta variant has become prevalent in the U.S., now requiring even fully vaccinated people to wear masks indoors.

But Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky said it is unnecessary to reimplement a mask policy for fully vaccinated people since the vaccines are highly effective against the Delta variant.