Delivery service and walk-ins welcome in Phillips County as Gov. Bullock orders closures: Bars and other business to close at 8 p.m. March 20

Montana Governor Steve Bullock announced a Directive on Friday morning that all dine-in food service and alcohol beverage businesses and other activities are to close by 8 p.m. tonight, March 20, and the directive expires at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020, in order to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana.

In the interim, those establishments that offer food and beverage services are permitted and encouraged to use delivery, walk-up, and drive-through service "and to use precautions in doing so to mitigate the potential transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing."

"Both young and older Montanans, in urban and rural communities, have tested positive for coronavirus, making it even more clear that this virus impacts us all and that these actions are imperative to protecting our friends and neighbors," Gov. Bullock said. "We face extraordinary health risks – and with it even further risks to our economic and social well-being – if we do not act now. I do not take this decision lightly and it was done so in consultation with public health professionals. Montanans, too, need to take this seriously. It's up to all of us to stop the spread of this virus."

In Malta, Stretch's Pizza and Lettuce Eat are offering both carry-out and delivery service; Joe's In-&-Out's and Dairy Queen's drive-throughs are open; Crossroads Coffe & Bistro has carry-out service and will be offering delivery starting Monday; The Great Northern and Westside Self Service has carry-out service, and the Tin Cup is currently closed. In Saco, Pip's Diner is offering both carry-out and delivery for senior citizens.

For more information, contact these local businesses directly.

Crossroads Coffee and Bistro 654-1955

Dairy Queen 654-1051

Great Northern 654-2100

Joe's In & Out 654-1554

Lettuce Eat 654-2217

Pip's Diner 527-3353

Stretch's Pizza 654-1229

Westside Food Court 654-1355

The Villa Theatre also announced that due to all the closures in town they are take orders for movie bundles between 8am and 12pm for fun movie nights pick up will between 4pm and 5pm starting Monday, March 23. Call 406-344-3089.

All bars and microbreweries will be closed in Phillips County including the Mint Bar, Lucky Bullet, Blue Ridge Brewing, and Kid Curry and Casino starting on Friday evening at 8 p.m. This Directive expires at 11:59 p.m. on March 27, 2020, the same day that school closures are set to expire, though the date will likely be extended, the Governor's office said.

Under the Directive, the following places are closed to ingress, egress, use, and occupancy by members of the public:

• Restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, and other similar establishments offering food or beverage for on-premises consumption.

• Alcoholic beverage service businesses, including bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs, and other establishments offering alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.

• Cigar bars.

• Health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers, pools and hot springs, indoor facilities at ski areas, climbing gyms, fitness studios, and indoor recreational facilities.

• Movie and performance theaters, nightclubs, concert halls, bowling alleys, bingo halls, and music halls.

• Casinos.