Montana Governor Lifts Mask Mandate, Says Enough Vulnerable People Have the COVID-19 Vaccine

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has lifted the statewide mask mandate. The Republican governor said Friday he made the decision because he thinks enough vulnerable Montana residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Some public health officials say the state’s vaccination rate is still too low to lift the masking requirement. Several cities and counties are keeping local mask requirements. Among those are Lewis and Clark County, Gallatin County, Butte County, Missoula County, and the city of Whitefish. Just over 4% of Montana residents have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.