Coronavirus Closes HoCo Parks, Ball Extends State Of Emergency

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution to extend the local state of emergency in the county until further notice, which was then signed by County Executive Calvin Ball. Officials also have closed all Howard County parks and all basketball, volleyball, tennis and pickleball courts, as well as the county's skate parks and disc golf course.

“Our singular focus is public safety – and I’m thankful to the council for their swift action to extend the State of Emergency for Howard County,” said Ball in a statement. “The state of emergency is a reminder to all residents that coronavirus (COVID-19) is a very serious threat to public health and we appreciate the patience and understanding from our community during this rapidly changing situation. The coronavirus response is going to be significantly challenging and disruptive for our community, and we will do everything necessary to slow the spread and save lives.”

When operating under a state of emergency, the county executive may issue executive orders that the executive considers necessary to implement the emergency operations plan and to protect the health, safety and welfare of persons within Howard County, including but not limited to orders to:
(1) Control traffic, including public and private transportation;
(2) Designate zones in the area of the emergency in which the occupancy and use of buildings and vehicles may be controlled;
(3) Control the movement of individuals or vehicles in, into, or from the area of the emergency;
(4) Control places of amusement and places of assembly;
(5) Control individuals on public streets;
(6) Establish curfews;
(7) Establish requirements to shelter in place;
(8) Control the storage, use, and transportation of explosives, flammable materials, or liquids considered to be dangerous to public safety;

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In his original declaration of the state of emergency on March 15, Ball closed the Mall in Columbia, the Shops at Savage Mill and the Howard County movie theaters.

"As COVID-19 cases rise in our community, the county must continue to take actions that will slow the spread of coronavirus and keep our residents safe," said Christiana Rigby, District 3 Councilmember. "We need every individual and family to do their part by staying home, avoiding contact with others and practicing social distancing."

Alcohol carry-out and delivery has been approved by the county council for Howard County restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, distillers, liquor stores and other entities holding a local license to sell alcoholic beverages. Alcohol may be delivered to residences or a curbside pickup location but does not allow on-premise consumption. Licensees are required to keep a delivery log with the purchaser’s name and address, date of the purchase and verification that the purchaser is of the legal age to buy alcohol.

Read more:

• 18 Coronavirus Cases In HoCo, No Tests For Mild Cases: Officials
• 5-Year-Old With Coronavirus Attends Elkridge Elementary In HoCo
• Mildly Ill Howard County Residents Asked To Call Doctor First
• HoCo Animal Shelter Requires Appointments Due To Coronavirus
• Free Lunches, Breakfast Available To Howard County Students