Coronavirus Response: Bowie Adjusts How It's Offering Services

BOWIE, MD — Following guidance from the CDC and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's office, the City of Bowie Friday updated how it will be offering services to residents in the coming days in response to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Beginning on Monday, March 16, Bowie's Emergency Operations Center will be operating under a partial activation. It will be open Monday-Friday, from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

City Hall will be open to the public weekdays until 5 p.m. Residents are encouraged to conduct city business or pay bills by using the city website or via their telephone. Speed cameras bills may be paid online or at the Finance Department.

Below is the adjusted operating status of City services, facilities, and events:

• Senior Center - Homebound meals and essential meals will continue.
• City Gymnasium - Closed, March 16-27, following Prince George's County Public Schools' schedule.
• Ice Arena -Closed, March 16-27, following PGCPS' schedule
• Kenhill Center - Open to tenants. Youth & Family Services will continue to provide counseling services.
• Kenhill Center - Bowie Television Studio - Closed to producers and the public.
• Historic Properties - Closed, March 16-27, following PGCPS' schedule. This includes City museums, the Radio & TV Museum and Genealogy Library.
• City Parks - Open - Leagues have canceled most practices and games on ballfields.
• Playhouse - TBD - Performances for March 13-16 have been canceled and the status of other performance will be determined soon.
• Meeting Rooms - The use of all meeting rooms at City Hall and the Kenhill Center by outside groups has been canceled through March 31.
• Senior Transportation - Non-essential trips have been canceled, but transportation will continue for Senior Center patrons as needed for grocery shopping, medical appointments, and prescription pickups.
• Senior Meals Nutrition Program - Homebound meals will continue to be delivered.
• City Committee Meetings - Canceled through March 31.
• State of the City speech originally scheduled for March 18 - Canceled.
• Job Fair originally scheduled for March 21 - Canceled.
• Green Bowie Expo originally scheduled for April 13 - Canceled.
• Bowie Health Fair originally scheduled for April 25 - Canceled.

The door leading to the Bowie Police Department is locked and the lobby is closed to the public. Visitors may enter the small vestibule area just inside the front door and use the intercom system to contact Communications Center staff. They can also call 240-544-5700 for assistance.

While City Council meetings remain open, the public is encouraged to view the meetings online. Citizens wishing to submit testimony or comments for an upcoming meeting may do so by texting 240-355-3282 or emailing written or video testimony/comments to the City Clerk. They may also be mailed or dropped off at City Hall. For assistance, contact City Clerk Awilda Hernandez at 301-809-3029.