Montana Governor Who Ended Mask Mandate in February Tests Positive for Coronavirus

On Monday, the United States registered over 79,000 new coronavirus infections, as cases continue to increase across the world, driven by soaring infection rates in Michigan.

Republican Governor Greg Gianforte of Montana, who ended a statewide mask mandate in February and forced local municipalities to lift COVID-19 limits, has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Governor will self-isolate for 10 days, in accordance with public health guidelines and his doctor’s recommendations, his office said.

Governor Gianforte got his first Pfizer vaccine dose four days before his positive test result, which came the day after he attended Easter Sunday services at Grace Bible Church in Bozeman.

The United States is working hard to get every person in the country vaccinated under President Joe Biden’s administration. Biden had stated earlier that every adult person in the country would be vaccinated by May.

Under Donald Trump’s administration, many Republicans like Governor Gianforte wanted to end the mask mandate and wanted to rush to end any other COVID-19 related restrictions.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott was one of the first Governors to end the mask mandate on March 10th. He stated that he was loosening those restrictions so “businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny.”

I just announced Texas is OPEN 100%.

I also ended the statewide mask mandate. — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 2, 2021

After Texas, many state followed like Montana making mask wearing optional. Those states include Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida , Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

To prevent the transmission of the infection, health authorities continue to stress the importance of wearing face masks, as well as hand-washing and social distancing.