Mask Mandate Lifted In Howard County Effective Immediately

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The mask mandate has been lifted in Howard County effective immediately. However, Howard County public buildings and facilities, as well as public transit including the RTA, will still require masks. Businesses and organizations may still require masking at their own discretion.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball first signed an executive order requiring masks in indoor public facilities Dec. 23, 2021.

“This action was vital to combat our rapidly rising COVID-19 metrics fueled by the increasing spread of the omicron variant. At the height of the post-holiday surge, our positivity rate was nearly 30 percent, our case rate per 100,000 was 199 and 84 people were hospitalized at Howard County General Hospital. During the past month, we’ve seen our metrics decrease significantly, and more of our residents got their vaccines and booster shots," Ball said.

As of Tuesday, the county's positivity rate is at 8.47 percent, a 70 percent decrease from its peak, and the case rate per 100,000 is 34, an 83 percent decrease from its peak, and hospitalizations have decreased by 60 percent.

"Additionally, there is now a wide availability of rapid at-home testing and high-quality masks. Our metrics are encouraging; however, our residents should still use caution in public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Due to omicron’s virulence, we still recommend the use of high-quality masks, such as N95s and KN95s, especially for residents who may be at higher risk," Ball said.

Approximately 86 percent of Howard County's residents age 12 and older are fully vaccinated; however, approximately 44 percent of those eligible have not received a booster.

"The single most effective way to prevent severe disease and hospitalization from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and boosted," Ball added. "Residents are highly encouraged to get a booster as studies show that antibodies wane after six months and this may make the difference in keeping our family and friends out of the hospital. Nearly 65 percent of our 5-to 11-year-olds have received at least their first vaccine dose. I strongly encourage our youngest residents to get vaccinated, get boosted and help your family and friends get their shots.”