UPDATE: 4:30 pm – January 21, 2021
MISSOULA – Missoula County is about to see some changes to its COVID-19 restrictions, as the city-county Health Council approved changes to existing guidelines on Thursday.
The changes now allow restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos to remain open after 10 pm. Other changes include raising current capacity limits and allowing eight people to sit at the table.
The reviews were being considered since the beginning of November, after a group of about 70 bar and restaurant owners approached health officials to find a way to allow the bars to remain open until late at night.
This group, called Revive Missoula, says it is excited to see their voices being heard.
Kyle Riggs of the Pangea Restaurant Group says that because they opened during the pandemic, they could never stay open as late as they would like.
“It’s great that they’re giving everyone time back, it doesn’t necessarily translate into guests. People are very conditioned now to close at 10 am and have to be at home and stuff,” Riggs said.
“The world has changed a lot for the staff, for the guests, for everyone. It will take a while for people to get used to it, ”he added.
Riggs says he will wait a few weeks before trying to stay open until 2 am, but is ready to start closing at around midnight.
Changes to Missoula County COVID-19 restrictions take effect on Friday.
(first report: 13:30 – 21 January 2021)
The Missoula City-County Health Council voted to approve the amendment to some of the existing COVID-19 restrictions.
The approved changes included removing the closing hours of restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos, changing current capacity limits and allowing eight people to sit at the table.
The rule changes will take effect on Friday.
The reviews were being considered since the beginning of November, after a group of about 70 bar and restaurant owners approached health officials to find a way to allow the bars to remain open until late at night.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.