End of Montana mask mandate to be announced Friday

At his first bill-signing ceremony, held Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 65 and said he will announce the end to Montana's mask mandate Friday morning.

SB 65 protects businesses, non-profits, places of worship and health care providers from lawsuits related to COVID-19 transmission at their establishments provided those entities make good-faith efforts to keep people safe.

Gianforte said this will help Montana get back to work and open its economy, and combat the "economic pandemic" that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill passed the Montana legisl...