BREAKING: Masks No Longer Required Indoors in Montgomery County if You Are Vaccinated

BREAKING: Masks No Longer Required Indoors in Montgomery County if You Are Vaccinated

Today the Montgomery County Council approved a new Board of Health regulation which automatically starts phase two of reopening.

Effective immediately, the outdoor mask mandate is now lifted, and people vaccinated no longer need to wear a mask indoors, except in places such as hospitals and schools where regulations require them.

Also, businesses, restaurants, and houses of worship can return to 75% capacity. All other restrictions will be lifted May 28th.

Full statement from Montgomery County below:

Council approves new Board of Health regulation to incorporate changes associated with phased reopening and provide updated mask guidance in line with CDC and State of Maryland

Rockville, Md., May 18, 2020—On Monday, May 17, Dr. Travis Gayles notified the Council that 60 percent of residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine which automatically started phase two of reopening where businesses, restaurants and houses of worship could immediately return to 75-percent capacity. This new phase of reopening also eliminated all outdoor capacity limits. Indoor capacity limits increased to 250 people including camps and sports venues. Convention and banquet facilities can also operate at 50 percent capacity.

On Friday, May 14, Dr. Gayles also certified that 50 percent of Montgomery County residents have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is a major milestone because it triggers full reopening in line with the State of Maryland and will lift all capacity and distancing restrictions for indoor and outdoor businesses and venues in Montgomery County on May 28 at 6 a.m.

“We are grateful to all our residents who have stepped up to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones, and our community,” said Council President Tom Hucker. “We are thrilled to be able to restore a sense of normality for our business owners and residents who have made tremendous sacrifices for more than 14 months to protect public health. We will continue to support you during this recovery period and want to encourage everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. We are proud to have swiftly met these milestones; but there is more work to do to keep our community healthy.”

“Since the beginning of this year, we have made great progress vaccinating the residents of Montgomery County by prioritizing equity and addressing hesitancy,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “By aligning our reopening to vaccination rates, our goal is to incentivize our residents to get vaccinated while also ensuring we are reopening as safely as possible.”

“We have achieved another milestone in our fight against this pandemic,” said Council Vice President and Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee Gabe Albornoz. “Thanks to the sacrifices of our residents, and guidance from our public health officials, we are closer than we have been since the start of the pandemic to getting back to normal. However, we must remain vigilant and encourage everyone that is eligible to get the vaccination as soon as possible.”

Today the Council approved a new a new Board of Health regulation that incorporates the changes that automatically happened yesterday when the County reached the second phase of reopening. The regulation also lifts the outdoor mask mandate and persons who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks indoors, except as provided by the Maryland Department of Health which currently includes mask requirements in healthcare settings, schools and on public transportation. In addition, the public health guidance requires that unvaccinated residents wear a mask in indoor public spaces until May 28 when the order will be rescinded.

Montgomery County’s phased approach to reopening driven by public health data and guidance has resulted in a low rate of transmission of COVID-19 and has saved countless lives. The seven-day average of cases per 100,000 residents is less than four and this number continues to decline as vaccinations increase. Moreover, the County continues to have a low, 14-day COVID-19 test positivity rate of 1.6 percent. These rates are the fourth lowest in the nation for jurisdictions larger than 800,000 residents.

Residents who are not yet vaccinated should do so as soon as possible. Free and convenient vaccination appointments and walk-in opportunities are available at multiple locations across the County. Make your appointment or learn more at https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ or call 240-777-2982.

The Sixth Amended Board of Health Regulation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Montgomery County can be viewed here.

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El Condado de Montgomery alcanza cifras claves de residentes vacunados y da paso a la segunda fase de reapertura; todas las restricciones de salud del condado terminarán el próximo 28 de mayo

El Concejo de Montgomery aprobado hoy un reglamento de la Junta de Salud para incorporar los cambios asociados con la reapertura gradual del condado y proporcionar una guía actualizada sobre el uso de mascarillas faciales basados en los reglamentos establecidos por los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades y el estado de Maryland

Rockville, Md., 18 de mayo de 2020 – El pasado lunes 17 de mayo, el Dr. Travis Gayles notificó al Concejo del Condado de Montgomery que el 60% de los residentes han recibido al menos una dosis de la vacuna COVID-19, lo que automáticamente activó la fase dos de la reapertura gradual de negocios, restaurantes y centros religiosos; los cuales pueden regresar inmediatamente al 75% de su capacidad. Esta nueva fase de reapertura también elimina todos los límites de capacidad al aire libre, incrementa los límites de capacidad en interiores aumentan a 250 personas incluyendo campamentos y centros deportivos. Las instalaciones para convenciones y banquetes también pueden funcionar al 50% de su capacidad.

El pasado viernes, el Dr. Gayles también certificó que el 50% de los residentes del condado de Montgomery han recibido todas las dosis requeridas de la vacuna COVID-19. Este es momento crucial porque da paso a la reapertura total del condado, se alinea con el estado de Maryland y elimina todas las restricciones de capacidad y distanciamiento en negocios y lugares interiores y exteriores en el condado de Montgomery a partir del 28 de mayo a las 6 a.m.

“Estamos agradecidos con todos nuestros residentes que han dado un paso al frente para vacunarse para protegerse a sí mismos, a sus seres queridos y a nuestra comunidad”, dijo el presidente del concejo, Tom Hucker. “Estamos encantados de poder volver a dar un sentido de normalidad para nuestros dueños de negocios y residentes que han hecho tremendos sacrificios durante más de 14 meses para proteger la salud pública. Continuaremos apoyándolos durante este período de recuperación y queremos alentar a todos los que no han sido vacunados a hacerlo lo antes posible. Estamos orgullosos de haber alcanzado rápidamente estas cifras, pero hay más trabajo por hacer para mantener saludable a nuestra comunidad “.

“Desde principios de este año, hemos logrado un gran progreso en la vacunación de los residentes del Condado de Montgomery al priorizar la equidad y abordar las dudas”, dijo Marc Elrich, ejecutivo del Condado de Montgomery. “Al alinear nuestra reapertura con las tasas de vacunación, nuestro objetivo es incentivar a nuestros residentes a vacunarse y, al mismo tiempo, asegurarnos de que reabrimos de la manera más segura posible”.

“Hemos logrado otro hito en nuestra lucha contra esta pandemia”, dijo el vicepresidente del concejo y presidente del comité de salud y servicios humanos, Gabe Albornoz. “Gracias a los sacrificios de nuestros residentes y a la orientación de nuestros funcionarios de salud pública, estamos más cerca de lo que hemos estado desde el inicio de la pandemia de volver a la normalidad. Sin embargo, debemos permanecer atentos y alentar a todos los que cumplen los requisitos para recibir la vacuna. lo antes posible.”

El día de hoy el concejo aprobó un nuevo reglamento de la Junta de Salud. Este reglamento incorpora los cambios que ocurrieron de manera automática el día de ayer cuando el Condado alcanzó la segunda fase de reapertura. La regulación elimina el mandato de uso mascarilla para exteriores y las personas que estén completamente vacunadas no necesitan usar mascarillas en interiores, excepto según lo dispuesto por el Departamento de Salud de Maryland, que actualmente incluye requisitos de mascarilla en entornos de atención médica, escuelas y transporte público. La guía de salud pública también requiere que los residentes no vacunados usen una máscara en los espacios públicos interiores hasta el 28 de mayo, cuando se anulará la orden.

El enfoque gradual del Condado de Montgomery para la reapertura basado en estadísticas y recomendaciones de salud pública ha resultado en una baja tasa de transmisión de COVID-19 y ha salvado innumerables vidas. El promedio de siete días de casos por cada 100,000 habitantes es menos de cuatro y este número continúa disminuyendo a medida que aumentan las vacunas. Además, el condado sigue teniendo una tasa baja de casos de COVID-19 de catorce días de 1.6%. Estas tasas son las cuartas más bajas del país para jurisdicciones de más de 800.000 residentes.

Los residentes que aún no estén vacunados deben hacerlo lo antes posible. Citas de vacunación gratuitas y convenientes y oportunidades sin cita previa están disponibles en múltiples ubicaciones en todo el condado. Haga su cita u obtenga más información en https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ o llame al 240-777-2982.

La Sexta Enmienda de la Junta de Regulaciones de Salud para prevenir la propagación de COVID-19 en el Condado de Montgomery se puede ver aquí.

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Accompanying the culinary extravaganza is a carefully curated selection of premium wines, ensuring the perfect pairing for your palate. Sip on fine wines from renowned vineyards, each sip a reflection of the Caribbean's vibrant spirit. Discover new flavors, expand your wine knowledge, and savor unforgettable moments with every glass.

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Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the Caribbean spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring in style! Tickets are available on AllEvents, so secure your spot today. Join us at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival, where cultures collide and unforgettable memories are made.

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