Face Masks Required For Grocery Shoppers, Bus Riders In PG County

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Grocery shoppers and bus riders in Prince George's County will be required to wear a cloth face mask when they venture away home to shop for essential goods or work. The order by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks goes into effect on Wednesday, April 15.

Residents should wear a mask, homemade mask, bandana or a scarf when inside a grocery store, pharmacy or riding The Bus, the county's transit system.

"This is for the safety of both employees and customers who rely on these essential services," Alsobrooks tweeted.

Leaders in the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, Maryland, have ordered residents to wear cloth face coverings to try to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

Starting Monday, all shoppers across Montgomery County will be required to wear masks to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, or potentially face a fine. of up to $500, and repeat offenders will face $750 fines for every subsequent violation.

The order matches a similar announcement by Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser requiring shoppers to use masks and for retailers to enforce social distancing.

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Prince George’s County Public Schools Meals

Effective April 6, Prince George’s County Public Schools students can pick up a week’s worth of “grab and go” twice a week. Students can get meals for two days on Mondays and three days on Wednesdays

There will be no meal service on Monday, April 13, due to spring break. Service will resume Tuesday, April 14, with one meal; three meals will be available on Wednesday, April 15. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are now available at 43 sites. Parents may now pick up meals for students who are unable to come to the site by showing a student ID or report card.

Meals are available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents and guardians are not required to accompany students nor are students required to show ID. The full list of sites is available at www.pgcps.org/coronavirus.

PG Testing Site

Residents who want COVID-19 testing should first contact their primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician, call the coronavirus hotline at 301-883-6627 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

The testing site at FedEx field is accessible by appointment only, and the process is as follows:

1. Walkups who don't show symptoms will not be tested. Those with prescriptions from primary care physicians or other health care providers must still make an appointment through the Prince George’s Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline and telehealth services by calling 301-883-6627.
2. Call the Prince George’s County Health Department Coronavirus hotline at (301) 883-6627 to schedule an initial telehealth screening.
3. The telehealth medical professional will speak to the caller to obtain information to determine if the patient meets the CDC testing requirements.
4. If the caller meets the CDC testing guidelines, they will receive an appointment time and an appointment number (from 1 to 100 **MUST KEEP ASSIGNED APPOINTMENT NUMBER) to go to the FedEx Field site on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. They must show up at their appointment time, with their appointment number, and be able to answer questions based on their telehealth screening.
5. Upon arriving at the testing site, the individual will receive instruction from law enforcement as to where to park and when to exit their vehicle.
6. The individual will walk to the checkpoint and give their appointment number, then they will be escorted to a tent based on their symptoms.
7. If the individual meets the testing requirements outlined by the CDC, they will be escorted to the testing tent. Following the testing, the individual will be given instructions on home self-care, and social distancing.

Food Pantry Locations

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, many food pantries have been setup throughout the county and in neighboring jurisdictions. Enter your zip code or address into the county's online map to search for the food pantry nearest you. Click the pantry of your choice to get additional information about that location including directions and hours of operation.

President Donald Trump said a week ago that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all Americans wear nonmedical-grade face coverings when in public to help prevent transmission of the new coronavirus. He stressed that medical masks and respirators should be reserved for health care workers.

See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Virginia Department of Health for more information.

Related:

• Bowie Businesses: Open Or Closed? Let Your Customers Know
• Coronavirus: Grab-And-Go Meal Service For PG County Altered
• MD Coronavirus: 7,694 Confirmed Cases, 206 Deaths