The Frederick County Board of Health announced that its indoor mask requirement is no longer in effect, earlier today.

The Board of Health cited case rate in Frederick County falling below 20 per 100,000 residents.

The end of this regulation does not mean that masks will not be required in Frederick County Public Schools.

Earlier this week Governor Larry Hogan called on the Maryland State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, citing the state’s dramatically improved health metrics, the widespread availability of vaccines for school age children, and the growing consensus among medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials.

The Maryland State Board of Education wrote a letter in response, stating that the school mask policy will not be dropped until a vaccination level of 80% is reached and transmission levels drop.

The full press release from Frederick County can be seen below:

FREDERICK, MD – As of today, February 12, 2022, the COVID-19 case rate in Frederick County has fallen below 20 per 100,000 population. This was the threshold set in Frederick County Board of Health Regulation 02-2021, so effective immediately Regulation 02-2021 is no longer in effect. Any future mask regulation would require a new Board of Health regulation.

All county residents are encouraged to continue taking steps to reduce the spread of illness in our community, such as getting vaccinated and boosted, avoiding crowds, keeping your distance, washing your hands, and getting tested when needed. CDC recommends that masks be worn indoors in public by everyone two years and older (including people up to date on vaccinations) in areas of substantial or high community transmission. Frederick County remains in high transmission at this time. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

The Board of Health comprises the County Executive and the County Council. The County Health Officer serves as the Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board. Information on the Board is available at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/BoardofHealth.

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Regulation 02-2021: https://health.frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7329/Board-of-Health-Regulation-02-2021-Face-Covering-FINAL