Montana Governor Steve Bullock hosted another press conference in the State Capitol to announce that a fifth Montanan had died of complications of COVID 19.

“Our communities felt a ripple effect of heartbreak over this past weekend as we learned of the first four deaths from COVID 19,” said Bullock. “Today I learned of a fifth. Montana really is one really big small town, and these losses of life impact us all no matter in which community we might live. I know I join many Montanans in sending our love and support to the family and friends of these Montanans.”

Bullock also released a new directive to help people stay in their homes or apartments during the coronavirus pandemic without fear of foreclosure or eviction.

“Today, I’m issuing a directive that prohibits landlords from evicting tenants from their homes who cannot pay their rent during the stay at home order,” he said. “It also prohibits late fees or other penalties due to late or non-payment of rent during the stay at home order. This directive also stops residential foreclosures due to nonpayment during the duration of the stay at home order.”

Bullock also announced help for healthcare facilities to remain open to serve Montanans.

“Additionally today I issued a directive that allows hospitals and related healthcare facilities to receive financing to remain open and acquire supplies needed to respond to COVID 19,” he said. “This directive will allow healthcare, medical and related facilities to receive financing under the Montana Facilities Financing Authority Act for operating expenses connected to COVID 19.”

Bullock said he spoke directly to Vice President Pence and other national health leaders about receiving more testing supplies and equipment from the federal government.

He said these directives will help Montanans stay in their homes and help healthcare facilities to remain open during the coronavirus crisis.

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