Bullock declares 'magical entities' essential workers

Gov. Steve Bullock made a rare exception to statewide stay-at-home and self-quarantine rules last week, giving “magical entities” permission to perform their duties in advance of Easter Sunday.

The wide-ranging directive allowed for the Easter Bunny to perform its regular duty of hiding eggs and distributing chocolates and other candies to children across the state. Bullock cited the longstanding tradition of hunting for Easter eggs in Montana as well as the subsequent boost to the confectionary industry as reason for carving out the exception.

“The Easter Bunny performs the essential services of hiding Easter eggs, supporting the chocolate-egg industry and bringing springtime joy to Montanans all over the state,” Bullock wrote in his April 9 directive.

But the governor did not stop with the Easter Bunny. The directive allows for other magical creatures with essential work to continue performing their work. That includes the Tooth Fairy and those fantastical beasts not mentioned by name in the directive, he wrote.

“Other magical entities, including but not limited to elves, unicorns and friendly dragons are also considered essential workers, provided they maintain a comfortable, six-foot distance,” the directive reads. “Visits to homes for magical purposes is essential travel.”

Visiting magical entities can ignore self-quarantine rules so long as they leave behind a gift and follow social distancing recommendations, Bullock wrote. Examples of gifts included treats, sweets or “the fair market value of a baby tooth.”

Bullock was not alone in issuing the exception. Maine Gov. Jane Mills declared the Easter Bunny an essential worker on April 11, as did governors in Michigan, Maryland and other states. Across the Pacific Ocean, the prime minister of New Zealand offered similar exemptions for the furry bearer of chocolates.