'During today’s media briefing, Montgomery County’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard said that James Bridgers, the acting county health officer, has made a recommendation to the County Council to postpone ending the indoor mask mandate until at least the end of January, even if the county hits an 85% vaccination rate.
On November 2, the council unanimously approved an amendment suggested by Councilmember Andrew Friedson that would terminate the mask mandate altogether after the county hits a vaccination rate of 85% of total population (according to data tracker on CDC website).
County officials are asking the County Council to revisit and review the process on when to alter the current mask policy at the end of January. The County Council, acting as the Board of Health, will meet on January 4 to hold a vote on the recommendation.
As of Wednesday, 83% of county residents are fully vaccinated.
Stoddard also said the county is currently finalizing language on the proposed vaccine passport and will send that to County Council for review as early as today. County officials met with the Restaurant Association to go over their concerns about the passport. The passport will largely mirror the version that DC announced last week.
📺 #HappeningNow Watch today's virtual media briefing with @MontCoExec Marc Elrich live on Facebook and @CountyCableMoCo ▶ https://t.co/DFZpNlcyB7. pic.twitter.com/peEUlzCocg
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) December 29, 2021
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