Masks Required In Baltimore County Government Buildings

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — People will have to wear face coverings inside all county offices and facilities in Baltimore County starting Friday, Aug. 13.

The county executive made the decision Thursday, calling it a "commonsense step" and citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Due to the delta variant spreading the coronavirus around the country, the CDC began recommending people wear masks in areas where coronavirus transmission is classified as "substantial," regardless of vaccination status. One way the CDC defines substantial transmission zones is those where cases are 50 to 99 per 100,000 residents.

Baltimore County has 68.65 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 residents as of Tuesday, Aug. 10, the latest date for which CDC data is available.

"We continue to closely monitor key metrics and the advice of scientific experts and remain committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to protect public health," County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said in a statement announcing masks would be required in Baltimore County buildings. "This commonsense step will help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our workforce and visitors to our buildings and facilities."

Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery counties also announced masks are required in government buildings.

"I thank our dedicated employees for helping us keep each other, our loved ones, and our community safe," Olszewski said.

In addition, Baltimore County Public Schools began requiring masks starting Tuesday, Aug. 12, at its buildings, citing substantial community transmission of the coronavirus.

“We must use all the tools in our arsenal to defeat this deadly virus,” Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch said in a statement Thursday. “We are working to get the vaccine into the arms of all of our eligible residents. Until that is accomplished, wearing masks inside County facilities will go a long way toward decreasing the spread.”

Officials said 72 percent of Baltimore County residents age 12 and up have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Thursday, Aug. 12.

Find available clinics at baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccine.

See Also:

• Masks Required In Baltimore County Public Schools As Of Tuesday
• Where Are COVID-19 Vaccination Sites In Baltimore County
• Masks Required In All Howard County Buildings: Officials
• Masks Required In Anne Arundel Buildings, Unvaccinated Employees To Get Weekly Testing