With hands tied, Montana officials issue public health plea

HELENA, Mont. — Health officials in both Missoula and Bozeman are begging Montana residents to wear masks indoors and get vaccinated.

The plea came Friday as hospitals in the towns face increasing strain and the state remains without any statewide health mandates.

Officials in Bozeman and Missoula lamented their inability to implement public health restrictions to limit the spread of the virus.

The state Legislature passed several laws earlier this year curtailing the power of local health officers to implement rules such as mask requirements and limiting gathering sizes.

At least four hospitals have requested assistance from the National Guard this week after a request from a Billings hospital was approved.

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