Face Mask Mandate Reinstated By Anne Arundel, Annapolis Leaders

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Citing alarming and rapid increases in COVID hospitalizations and cases in the past week, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman reinstated an emergency indoor mask mandate that went into effect countywide on Dec. 31.

The city of Annapolis joined the county in implementing a seven-day mask mandate in indoor public facilities including retail shops, gyms, houses of worship, restaurants (except while dining) in an effort to further slow the spread of the coronavirus in the community. The current rate of spread is affecting hospitals, health care and public safety workers, a city news release said.

The county mandate, which will apply to all indoor public locations, will expire on Friday, Jan. 7, unless the County Council votes for an extension.

“I had hoped we were done with government mandates in our response to COVID, but the current rate of spread and hospitalization is not sustainable, for our hospitals, our schools, our public safety agencies, or our businesses. Masks slow the spread, and it’s time to put them back on,” Pittman said in a news release.

County hospitals on Wednesday reported a record 191 COVID hospitalizations, while the county’s case rate hit 109 cases per 100,000 residents per day, also a record. The county’s test positivity rate on Wednesday reached 21 percent— the first time the positivity rate had passed 20 percent since April 2020.

“Our hospitals are implementing crisis standards of care because they’re taking care of the highest number of Covid patients since the pandemic began. Masks are critical in slowing the spread of Omicron and this order will ensure that everybody is following the same steps to decrease the spread,” Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman said in a statement.

The executive order, found here, mandates all public facilities — retail shops, gyms, houses of worship, restaurants (except while dining) and other locations — require patrons, guests, and staff to wear face coverings while indoors. The order took effect at noon on Dec. 31, and will expire at noon on Jan. 7, pending council action.

“It takes five votes on the County Council to extend this mandate beyond seven days, and we have support from at least four,” County Executive Pittman said. “I and many concerned residents will do our best to convince the others that this is a necessary step to keeping our kids in school and our businesses operating safely.”

To schedule a vaccination or booster appointment, go to www.aacounty.org/covidvax.