Face Mask Mandate Dropped Inside Howard County Government Buildings

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Starting Tuesday, residents will no longer have to wear face masks when inside Howard County government buildings. Masks still will be required on public transit and at the Howard County Detention Center.

Howard County has seen "significant decreases" across all COVID-19 metrics with a current 3.8 percent positivity rate and a seven-day average case rate of 13 per 100,000 residents.

“With our COVID-19 metrics decreasing and one of the highest vaccination rates in the state, we are able to relax our mask mandate within government buildings,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Vaccination continues to be our best line of defense against severe disease and death. I strongly encourage our residents who have not received their initial shots or booster, to go roll up their sleeves.”

Howard County has seen a 93 percent decrease in its positivity rate and 87 percent decrease in its case rate since their peak in early January. In Howard County 89.6 percent of resident 5 and older are fully vaccinated and 65.9 percent of eligible residents have received their boosters. Approximately 95 percent of resident 65 and older are fully vaccinated and 81.6 percent have received their boosters.

The Center for Disease Control recommends that anyone above the age of two who is not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations to wear a face mask when indoors in public buildings.