Workers return to hospitality jobs as COVID-19 cases rise in state

By Cerina Kenison, contributor

June 23, 2020

c1e42f9b8321c1e8ef9ed43cc756f90f — Gloria Elwess, a housekeeper at Boulder Hot Springs, uses a ultraviolet light wand used to disinfect items used at the facility. (Photo by Cerina Kenison).

Local front line employees feel a mixture of nervousness, uncertainty and relief as they return to work after weeks of being either laid off or on reduced hours due to COVID-19. They also have to learn new ways of doing business as Montana slowly reopens in the wake of the global pandemic.

Since the state moved into Phase 2 of the reopening plan, cases of COVID-19 have begun to rise in Montana.

“I was really nervous the first day coming back to work, but I’ve gotten better,” said Gloria Elwess, who had recently returned to work after being laid off from her job as a housekeeper and front desk clerk at Boulder Hot Springs.