Mayor Craig A. Moe signed Executive Order No. 2020-15 that will take effect at 5:00pm on May 15, 2020.

In accordance with Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ Executive Order No. 8-2020, Continued Declaration of a Local State of Emergency for Prince George’s County, Maryland, the City of Laurel will continue the following to fight the spread of COVID-19:

WHEREAS, Pursuant to the powers granted to me by Section 2-176 and Section 2-177 of the Laurel City Code, I, Craig A. Moe, Mayor of the City of Laurel have declared a State of Public Health Emergency in the City of Laurel due to an outbreak of disease (COVID-19) which does constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety and welfare of the City and its citizens;

WHEREAS, Prince George’s County, Maryland, with more than 10,400 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, has the highest number of confirmed cases in the State of Maryland; and,

WHEREAS, Prince George’s County, Maryland has more than 1,900 COVID-19 related hospitalizations and more than 350 deaths; and

WHEREAS, the City of Laurel located within Prince George's County, Maryland has been and continues to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak; and

WHEREAS, the Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland Number 20-05-13-01, issued May 13, 2020, specifically authorized political subdivisions to issue more restrictive orders than issued by the Governor including requiring any businesses, organizations, establishments, or facilities to close or modify their operations; and/or requiring individuals to remain indoors or to refrain from congregating; and

WHEREAS, the Prince George’s County, Maryland’s available data does not show sufficient downward trend in the number of positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, or sufficient increase in necessary testing capacity, to support a re-opening or restart of certain businesses and activities; and

WHEREAS, on May 14, 2020, Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks issued an amendment to the County’s emergency declaration proclaiming that a Local State of Emergency continues to exist in Prince George’s County, Maryland; and

WHEREAS, after consultation with the City of Laurel Health Officer  and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and help prevent the transmission of the COVID -19 virus, and control the spread of this deadly desease, the following actions will be taken in the City of Laurel:  

Effective May 15, 2020, beginning 5:00 p.m.:

I.          Stay-at-Home Order

A. All persons living in the City of Laurel are hereby ordered, effective as of 5:00 p.m. on May 15, 2020, to stay in their homes or places of residences (“Homes”) except:

1. To conduct or participate in Essential Activities (defined below) or Permitted Outdoor Activities (defined below):

2. Staff and owners of businesses and organizations that are not required to close 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

            3. 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:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. Traveling to and from an educational institution for purposes of receiving meals or instructional materials for distance learning;
5. Travel required by a law enforcement officer or court order; or

6.  Traveling to and from a Federal, State, or local government building for a necessary purpose.

C. As used herein, “Permitted Outdoor Activities” means the following, done in compliance with applicable Maryland State Secretary of Health’s Directives, Health Officer Directives, and social distancing guidance published by the Centers for Disease Control and the Maryland Department of Health:

1. Outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, or individual and small group sports such as golfing, tennis, and similar activities;
2. Outdoor fitness instruction;
3. Recreational fishing, hunting, shooting, and archery;
4. Recreational boating;
5. Horseback riding; and
6. Visiting cemeteries

D. Except as set forth in Paragraph I.E. of this Order, Non-Essential Businesses (as defined below) shall remain closed to the public.

E. Staff and owners may continue to be on-site at Non-Essential Businesses for only the following purposes:

1. Facilitating remote working (a/k/a/ telework) by other staff;
2. Maintaining essential property;
3. Preventing loss of, or damage to property, including without limitation, preventing spoilage of perishable inventory;
4. Performing essential administrative functions, including without limitation, picking up mail and processing payroll; and
5. Caring for live animals.

F.   Non-Essential Businesses are defined as all businesses, organizations, establishments, and facilities that are not part of the critical infrastructure sectors identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure  Security Agency (currently described at https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19 (collectively, “Non-Essential Businesses”)

II. Closure of Certain Specific Businesses, Organizations and Facilities

1. Senior Centers

1. All senior citizen activities centers (as defined in Section 10- 501 (i) of

the Human Services Article of the Maryland Code) shall remain closed.

2. Restaurants and Bars

1. Restaurants, bars, and other similar establishments that sell food or beverages for consumption on-premises in Prince George’s County, Maryland ("Restaurants and Bars") shall remain closed to the general public, except that, in accordance with any social-distancing recommendations of Maryland Department of Health or Prince George’s County Health Department, 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.

2. 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."

C. Fitness Centers

1. This Executive Order controls the occupancy and use of fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers, and self-defense schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland ("Fitness Centers").

2. All Fitness Centers shalt 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.

4. Theaters  

1. Theatres in Prince George’s County, Maryland at which live performances occur or motion pictures are shown shall remain closed to the general public.

5. Malls

1. This Executive Order controls the occupancy and use of shopping centers in Prince George’s County, Maryland that have one or more enclosed pedestrian concourses ("Enclosed Malls").

2. Except as set forth in paragraphs II.E.3 and II.E.4 of this Order, 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.

3. Retail establishments attached to Enclosed Malls that are directly accessible from the outside are not required to close.

4. Access to the general public to the following portions of Enclosed Malls is not prohibited:

1. That primarily sell groceries or pharmacy products, or
2. At which licensed professionals provide health care services; and
3. Pedestrian concourses and other interior common areas, but solely to the extent necessary for the general public to access the retail establishments described in this sub-paragraph.

       F. Other Recreational Establishments

1. Except for those activities allowed as Permitted Outdoor Activities as defined in paragraph I.C of this Order, "Recreational Establishments" includes:

1. Bingo halls;
2. Bowling alleys;
3. Pool halls;
4. Amusement parks;
5. Roller- and ice-skating rinks;

f.    Social and fraternal clubs, including without limitation, American Legion posts, VFW posts and Elks Clubs;

g.   Campgrounds; and

h.   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.

2. All Recreational Establishments are hereby closed to the general public (including members, in the case of private clubs).

G. Other Miscellaneous Establishments

1. The following establishments shall remain closed to the general public:

1. Tattoo parlors;
2. Tanning salons;
3. Barbershops; and
4. Beauty salons and all other establishments that provide esthetic services, provide hair services, or provide nail services (as described in Title 5 of the Business Occupations Article of the Maryland Code).

III. Unless specifically allowed pursuant to this Executive Order, 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. Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed.

IV.  Grocery stores, pharmacies and large chain retail establishments are required to promote social distancing inside and even outside of these establishments while customers wait to enter the premises.

V.  For avoidance of doubt, 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:

1. Federal, State, or local government unit, building, or facility;
2. Newspaper, television, radio, or other media service; or
3. Non-profit organization or facility providing essential services to low-income persons, including, without limitation, homeless shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens.

VI. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions or applications of the Order shall remain in effect to the extent possible without the invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive Order are severable.

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:

Since March 30, 2020 the following has applied in the City of Laurel and those listed below shall remain in effect.:

• 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.
• Laurel Police Officers or employees from the City’s Office of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services will enforce the above directives.

This Executive Order shall take effect at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020 and shall remain in effect until further notice or this Executive Order has been amended or rescinded.

Mayor Moe, the City Council and the City’s EOC will continue to monitor and keep current with actions and information pertaining to the pandemic outbreak and will be sure the residents, businesses, employees and visitors are kept well informed.

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