Mayor Craig A. Moe, in accordance with Governor Hogan’s statewide orders, signed Executive Order No. 2020-10 on March 30, 2020.

To protect the public health, welfare, and safety, prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus, control the spread of COVID-19, and save lives, it is necessary to control and direct the movement of individuals in Laurel, including those on the public streets.

Further, it is necessary to control and direct in Maryland and the City of Laurel, the occupancy and use of buildings and permises, as well as places of amusement and assembly. 

 

It is for these reasons, and many others, that the following actions in the City of Laurel were effective, March 30, 2020, at 8:00pm:

 

II. Stay-at-Home Order.

a. All persons living in the State of Maryland are hereby ordered, effective as of 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020, to stay in their homes or places of residences (“Homes”) except:

 

i. to conduct or participate in Essential Activities (defined below);

 

ii. staff and owners of businesses and organizations that are not required to

close pursuant to paragraph IV or paragraph V below may travel:

 

1. between their Homes and those businesses and organizations; and

 

2. to and from customers for the purpose of delivering goods or

performing services; and

 

iii. staff and owners of Non-Essential Businesses (defined below) may travel:

 

1. between their Homes and those Non-Essential Businesses for the

purpose of engaging in Minimal Operations; and

 

2. to and from customers for the purpose of delivering goods.

 

b. As used herein, “Essential Activities” means:

i. Obtaining necessary supplies or services for one’s self, family, household

members, pets, or livestock, including, without limitation: groceries,

supplies for household consumption or use, supplies and equipment

needed to work from home, laundry, and products needed to maintain

safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence;

 

ii. Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of one’s self,

family, household members, pets, or livestock, including such things as

seeking medical or behavior health or emergency services, and obtaining

medication or medical supplies;

 

iii. Caring for a family member, friend, pet, or livestock in another household

or location, including, without limitation, transporting a family member,

friend, pet, or livestock animal for essential health and safety activities,

and to obtain necessary supplies and services;

 

iv. Traveling to and from an educational institution for purposes of receiving

meals or instructional materials for distance learning;

 

v. Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running,

or biking, but only in compliance with paragraph III below and applicable

social distancing guidance published by the U.S. Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the Maryland Department of Health

(“MDH”);

 

vi. Travel required by a law enforcement officer or court order; or

 

vii. Traveling to and from a federal, State, or local government building for a

necessary purpose.

 

III. Gatherings Large Than 10 Persons Prohibited.

 

a. Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting

gatherings and events (“large gatherings and events”) of more than 10 people are

hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades,

festivals, conventions, and fundraisers.

 

b. Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after

termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic

health emergency has been rescinded.

 

IV. Closure of Non-Essential Businesses, Generally.

a. This Order controls the occupancy and use of all businesses, organizations,

establishments, and facilities that are not part of the critical infrastructure sectors

identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and

Infrastructure Security Agency (currently described at: https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19)(collectively, “Non-Essential Businesses”).

 

b. Subject to paragraph IV.c, all Non-Essential Businesses shall remain closed to the

general public.

 

c. Staff and owners may continue to be on-site at Non-Essential Businesses for only

the following purposes (“Minimal Operations”):

 

i. Facilitating remote working (a/k/a/ telework) by other staff;

 

ii. Maintaining essential property;

 

iii. Preventing loss of, or damage to property, including without limitation,

preventing spoilage of perishable inventory;

 

iv. Performing essential administrative functions, including without

limitation, picking up mail and processing payroll;

 

v. Caring for live animals; and

 

vi. In the case of Non-Essential Businesses that are retail establishments,

continuing to sell retail products on a delivery basis.

 

d. All businesses, organizations, establishments, and facilities that are required to

close pursuant to paragraph V, pursuant to any other Order of the Governor of the

State of Maryland or any other Order of a political subdivision, shall be and

remain closed in accordance with paragraph V or such other Order, as the case

may be.

 

V. Closure of Certain Specific Businesses, Organizations, and Facilities.

a. Senior Centers. All senior citizen activities centers (as defined in Section 10-501(i) of the Human Services Article of the Maryland Code) shall remain closed

until after termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the

catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded.

 

b. Restaurants and Bars.

i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of restaurants, bars, and other

similar establishments that sell food or beverages for consumption onpremises

in Maryland (“Restaurants and Bars”). This Order does not

apply to food or beverage services in health care facilities, which are

expressly excluded from the definition of “Restaurants and Bars.”

 

ii. All Restaurants and Bars shall remain closed to the general public, except

that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and in accordance with any

social-distancing recommendations of MDH, food and beverages may be:

 

1. sold if such food or beverages are promptly taken from the

premises, i.e., on a carry-out or drive-through basis; or

 

2. delivered to customers off the premises.

 

c. Fitness Centers.

i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of fitness centers, health clubs,

health spas, gyms, aquatic centers, and self-defense schools in Maryland

(“Fitness Centers”).

 

ii. All Fitness Centers shall remain closed to the general public, except that

the portion of any Fitness Center that is licensed or otherwise permitted by

applicable law, regulation, or order to provide child care services may

remain open to the general public for the purpose of continuing to provide

such child care services.

 

d. Theaters.

i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of theatres in Maryland at

which live performances occur or motion pictures are shown (“Theaters”).

 

ii. All Theaters shall remain closed to the general public.

 

e. Malls.

i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of shopping centers in

Maryland that have one or more enclosed pedestrian concourses

(“Enclosed Malls”).

 

ii. The following portions of Enclosed Malls shall remain closed to the

general public:

 

1. pedestrian concourses and other interior common areas open to the

general public, including without limitation, food courts; and

 

2. retail establishments only accessible to the general public from

enclosed pedestrian concourses or other interior areas.

 

iii. This paragraph V.e does not require closure of retail establishments

attached to Enclosed Malls that are directly accessible from the outside.

 

iv. Notwithstanding paragraph V.e.ii, local governments may approve access

by the general public to the following parts of Enclosed Malls:

 

1. retail establishments (a) that primarily sell groceries or pharmacy

products, or (b) at which licensed professionals provide health care

services; and

 

2. pedestrian concourses and other interior common areas, but solely

to the extent necessary for the general public to access the retail

establishments described in paragraph V.e.iv.1.

 

f. Other Recreational Establishments.

i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of the following establishments

in Maryland (“Recreational Establishments”):

 

1. bingo halls;

2. bowling alleys;

3. pool halls;

4. amusement parks;

5. roller and ice skating rinks;

6. all golf courses (public and private), miniature golf establishments,

and driving ranges;

7. social and fraternal clubs, including without limitation, American

Legion posts, VFW posts, and Elks Clubs;

8. campgrounds; and

9. any other establishment not listed above that is subject to the

admission and amusement tax under Title 4 of the Tax-General Article of the Maryland Code.

 

ii. All Recreational Establishments are hereby closed to the general public

(including members, in the case of private clubs), effective as of 5:00 p.m.

on March 30, 2020 (or shall remain closed, if closed by a prior Order).

 

g. Other Miscellaneous Establishments.

i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of the following establishments

in Maryland:

 

1. tattoo parlors;

2. tanning salons;

3. barber shops; and

4. beauty salons and all other establishments that provide esthetic

services, provide hair services, or provide nail services (as

described in Title 5, Subtitle 2 of the Business Occupations Article

of the Maryland Code).

 

ii. The establishments listed in paragraph V.g.i above shall remain closed to

the general public.

 

VI. Specific Exclusions. For avoidance of doubt:

a. This Order does not require the closure of, or prohibit the movement of any staff or

volunteer traveling to, from, or in connection with their duties at any:

 

i. Any federal, State, or local government unit, building, or facility;

 

ii. Any newspaper, television, radio, or other media service; or

 

iii. Any non-profit organization or facility providing essential services to lowincome

persons, including, without limitation, homeless shelters, food

banks, and soup kitchens.

 

b. Paragraph II of this Order does not apply to:

 

i. Persons whose homes or residences have become unsafe, such as victims

of domestic violence; and

 

ii. Persons who are experiencing homelessness, but governmental and other

entities are strongly encouraged to make shelter available for such persons

to the maximum extent practicable, in a manner consistent with the social

distancing guidelines of the CDC and MDH.

 

VII. Government Buildings and Facilities with Large Occupancy or Attendance.

a. State and local government buildings and facilities with an expected occupancy or

attendance of more than 10 people shall:

 

i. Promptly and conspicuously post in the building or facility a copy of the

MDH recommendations for social distancing; and

 

ii. Provide all occupants and attendees with the capability to wash their

hands.

 

b. A copy of this Order shall be made available to all occupants or attendees at any

State or local government building and facility with an expected occupancy or

attendance of more than 10 people.

 

VIII. General Provisions.

a. Each law enforcement officer of the State or a political subdivision shall execute

and enforce this Order.

 

b. A person who knowingly and willfully violates this Order is guilty of a

misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one

year or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

 

c. This Order remains effective until after termination of the state of emergency and

the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded, or until

rescinded, superseded, amended, or revised by additional orders.

 

d. The effect of any statute, rule, or regulation of an agency of the State or a political

subdivision inconsistent with this order is hereby suspended.

 

e. The underlined paragraph headings in this Order are for convenience of reference

 

This public health emergency continues to rapidly change, and the City will continue its efforts to monitor, and work with other public safety and health officials. The City will continue to re-evaluate conditions on a daily basis. Other City Actions that will also be taken are listed below:

Effective March 30, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. the following shall apply in the City of Laurel:

• All City play equipment and structures are CLOSED.
• All City basketball courts and areas are CLOSED.
• All homeowners’ associations in the City of Laurel are directed to CLOSE any and all play equipment and structures.
• All homeowner’s association in the City of Laurel are directed to CLOSE any basketball courts and areas.
• All City of Laurel parks will remain open but all applicable social distancing guidance published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the Maryland Department of Health (“MDH”), shall be followed at all times.
•  All City offices remain open; however, service delivery will be conducted online or by telephone only.

The Laurel Police or members of the City’s Code Enforcement division will enforce the above directives.

Please continue to follow us on our Social Media platforms, visit our COVID-19 webpage at www.cityoflaurel.org/coronavirus, the CDC at www.CDC.gov and the Maryland Department of Health as www.health.maryland.gov.