Montgomery County Approves New Reopening Guidelines Beginning Today at 5PM

Montgomery County Approves New Reopening Guidelines Beginning Today at 5PM

The Montgomery County Council passed the Fifth Board of Health Regulation this morning. A copy of the amended regulation will be posted later today.

Here is what will go into effect today at 5PM now that 50% of the population has received at least one vaccine dose:

• gathering limits increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors;
• businesses limited to 25 percent capacity move to 50 percent capacity if they do not sell or permit the consumption of food or drink;
• camps can move to the gathering limits of 50 indoors and 100 outdoors;
• escape rooms can allow 10 people per game;
• museums and galleries may reopen touch exhibits;
• malls may reopen pedestrian concourses and return tables and chairs inside; and
• sports move to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors with a similar number of spectators.

The next phase will begin when 60 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine;

• gathering limits increase to 250 people indoors and no limit outdoors;
• most businesses move to 75 percent capacity and may sell food and drink for consumption while seated;
• camps can increase to gathering limits of 250 people indoors with no capacity limit outdoors and may permit campers from outside of Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia;
• convention and banquet facilities are limited to 50 percent of the facilities maximum capacity per State restrictions;
• cigar and hookah bars may permit smoking outdoors;
• food service establishments may move to 75 percent of maximum capacity;
• religious facilities may move to 75 percent of maximum capacity; and
• sports may increase capacity for participants and spectators to 250 people indoors and no limit outdoors.

At 50 percent of the population being fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine all conduct and business in Montgomery County must follow any State or Maryland Department of Health requirements in place at the time.

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