BUTTE - Butte is prepared to follow the governor’s plan to phase in the reopening of businesses.
But health officials warn the coronavirus is still a concern and people need to be cautious.
“We fully expect to see additional cases because of it,” said Butte Health Department Director Karen Sullivan.
Fortunately, Butte-Silver Bow has only had 11 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the past three weeks, and nine people have recovered.
“People have been abiding by the governor’s directive and have stayed at home, and we think that has played very deeply into Butte’s relative success,” said Sullivan.
At the same time, the health department understands the need to get the local economy moving again.
“We know people are hurting out there, we get it, and so we’re trying to find that balance to work with this phased reopening, we want to do that, but at the same time, our mission is to keep people safe and healthy,” said Sullivan.
Many business owners in Butte have been doing what they can to adapt, but they say they’re looking forward to getting back to business as usual.
“I feel great. I was worried this week, I was sitting there waiting, aren’t we supposed to be hearing something, and now we finally know something, so, and now we have something to plan around,” said Jon McLaughlin of Mac’s Tavern in Butte.
Sullivan recommends anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus or with preexisting medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the virus, should continue to stay home.
