Baltimore County Exec Declares State Of Emergency

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — County Executive Johnny Olszewski declared a state of emergency Friday in Baltimore County. The emergency declaration enables the county to request state and regional resources.

Baltimore County's health officer and director of emergency management advised the county executive the novel coronavirus was a "public health catastrophe and public safety emergency," Olszewski wrote Friday in his emergency declaration.

"In declaring this state of emergency, I am authorizing Baltimore County government to take all necessary steps to respond to any potential impact the virus has on our communities," Olszewski said in a statement. "This situation continues to quickly evolve, and we are taking these new actions to flatten the curve as we continue to work in partnership to limit the spread of this virus."

The first Baltimore County resident tested positive for the new coronavirus Wednesday, according to authorities. There are 17 people in Maryland who have tested positive for the illness as of Friday evening, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The number had risen to 26 confirmed cases by Saturday morning.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency March 5 after confirming the first three cases of the virus in the state, at which point he directed the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Emergency Management Agency to "ramp up" coordination among state and local agencies and "fast-track" the state's response to the illness.

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday afternoon that would free up to $50 billion in federal aid for states and municipalities to respond to the new coronavirus.

Along with issuing the local emergency declaration Friday, Olszewski announced the Baltimore County health department's coronavirus hotline will be open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. rather than just on weekdays.

The Baltimore County Department of Health's coronavirus hotline is 410-887-3816.

"Our highest priority is to protect the health, safety and well-being of our residents," Olszewski said, announcing some of the measures the county was taking.

Library Closures

All branches of the Baltimore County Public Library will be closed March 16 through March 29.

The Baltimore County Public Library will not charge late fees during the closure.

Library programs will be canceled through May 3.

People can visit www.bcpl.info to explore digital resources offered by the library.

Food For Children

Baltimore County Public Schools will be closed, by state mandate, from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27.

Starting Monday, meals for children 18 and younger will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays from March 16 to March 27 in parking lots at these locations:
Northeast/Central

• Elmwood ES
• Halstead Academy
• Middle River MS
• Oakleigh ES
• Padonia ES
• Parkville HS
• Pleasant Plains ES

Northwest

• Featherbed ES
• Glyndon ES
• Owings Mills ES
• Scotts Branch ES
• Woodlawn MS

Southeast

• Battle Grove ES
• Chesapeake HS
• Deep Creek MS
• Dundalk ES
• Dundalk HS
• Hawthorne ES
• Logan ES
• Sandy Plains ES
• Stemmers Run MS
• Sussex ES

Southwest

• Arbutus ES
• Baltimore Highlands ES
• Deer Park MS
• Milbrook ES
• Johnnycake ES
• Lansdowne HS
• New Town HS
• Riverview ES
• Westchester ES
• Winfield ES

Starting Tuesday, meals for children 18 and younger will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays:

• Dundalk PAL Center
• Mars Estates PAL Center
• Shady Spring PAL Center
• Hillendale PAL Center
• Cockeysville PAL Center
• Scotts Branch PAL Center
• Winfield PAL Center
• Woodmoor PAL Center
• Arbutus Community Center

There will be a limited number of meals, which will be take-away, so children do not eat there.

Restricted Access To County Buildings

All meetings and appointments scheduled with Baltimore County departments or staff are canceled unless people are notified otherwise, effective Wednesday, March 18.

Permit requests and all other meetings with county department staff will be by appointment only starting Wednesday, March 18.

Members of the public will be screened for illness before entering county buildings, where they will have restricted access.

“In the midst of this public health crisis, we must act decisively to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the public,” Olszewski said. “This situation continues to evolve rapidly and we remain committed to taking whatever action necessary to promote social distancing, limit the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”

Olszewski said he may make additional announcements in the days ahead about government operations.

See Also:

• BCPS Issues More Guidance On School Events, Closure
• Baltimore Co. Opens Coronavirus Hotline, Closing Senior Centers
• First Coronavirus Case In Baltimore County Confirmed
• MD Governor Declares State Of Emergency
• Trump Declares National Emergency Over Virus Spread

Here is the full text of the emergency declaration:

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
EMERGENCY DECLARATION
COVID-19

WHEREAS, I, John A. Olszewski, Jr., the duly elected County Executive for Baltimore County, Maryland, have been advised by the Director of Emergency Management for Baltimore County and the local Health Officer that COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death, is a public health catastrophe and a public safety emergency; and

WHEREAS, a Declaration of State of Emergency and Existence of a Catastrophic Health Emergency was declared by the Governor of the State of Maryland on March 5, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) and the President of the United States have declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern that poses an immediate danger to public safety; and

WHEREAS, as the COVID-19 public health catastrophe and public safety emergency continues; it threatens lives, health and property in Baltimore County, requiring Baltimore County to call all of its resources into limited or long term activation; and

WHEREAS, State assistance may be needed to protect public peace, health and safety in Baltimore County as well as the lives, health and property of the citizens of Baltimore County pursuant to Title 14 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Resources are requested under applicable State and local emergency plans and may consist of personnel, equipment and use of facility space, as needed for this emergency to protect the public peace and safety of the citizens of Baltimore County.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED AND PROCLAIMED, by the County Executive of Baltimore County, Maryland that, in accordance with the authority granted by the Charter and Laws of Baltimore County, Maryland including, but not limited to Section 3-1-503 of the Baltimore County Code, and pursuant to any and all authority vested to me by the Maryland Constitution and the Laws of Maryland, including but not limited to §14-111 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, THAT A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND CATASTROPHIC HEALTH EMERGENCY EXISTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND, AND

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT:

1. This Emergency Declaration shall be promptly publicized; and
2. A copy of the Emergency Declaration be filed with the chief local records-keeping agency; and
3. As it is likely that the state of emergency will continue beyond March 20, 2020, pursuant to the authority granted by Section 208(e) of the Baltimore County Charter, the County Council shall be called into session on or before March 20, 2020 to consider a resolution consenting to the continuation of the state of emergency, as required by §14-111 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and §3-1-503(d) of the Baltimore County Code.

Emergency Declaration
Executive Order No. 2020-002

NOW THEREFORE, Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the State law, the Baltimore County Charter, and laws of Baltimore County, I, John A. Olszewski Jr., Baltimore County Executive, hereby proclaim that a state of emergency exists in Baltimore County this thirteenth day of March in 2020.