Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) lifted a statewide mask mandate on Friday that had been put in place by former Gov. Steve Bullock (D) last July amid the coronavirus pandemic; however, some counties will keep local mask requirements.
The day after he took office, Gianforte said he would lift the mask mandate when enough vaccinations had been administered and businesses and healthcare providers received liability protections. Gianforte announced earlier this week that both requirements had been met, creating his path to lift the statewide mask mandate.