Mayor Craig A. Moe signed Executive Order No. 2020-16 that will take effect at 5:00pm on June 1, 2020.

In accordance with Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ Executive Order No. 10-2020, 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:

Subject: Stay-at-Home Order Rescinded

Requiring Certain Businesses to Remain Closed

Opening Certain Businesses and Recreational

Establishments

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 15,042 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 2,458 COVID-19 related hospitalizations and more than 486 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 20-05-27-01, issued May 27, 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, Prince George’s County Maryland has begun to show a downward trend in the number of positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths; and there continues to be an increase in Prince George’s County, Maryland’s testing capacity, contact tracing and supply of personal protective equipment to support moving towards a modified re-opening or restart of certain businesses and activities; and

WHEREAS, consistent with Governor Larry Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery plan, the following are essential pillars in assessing the efforts to combat COVID-19: expanded testing, improved contact tracing, increased hospital surge capacity, and increased supply of personal protective equipment; and

WHEREAS, Prince George’s County Maryland has experienced a two week decline in the number of new cases, as well as a two week decline in our number of deaths; and

WHEREAS, the number of average deaths per day and hospitalizations in Prince George’s County Maryland due to sickness from COVID-19 is trending downward;

WHEREAS, on May 28, 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 June 1, 2020, beginning 5:00 p.m.:

1. Stay-at-Home Order – Rescinded

The Stay-at-Home Order, as set forth in Executive Order No. 2020-15, is rescinded effective June 1, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., unless specifically stated otherwise in this Order. However, all residents are encouraged to stay in their homes or places of residences as much as possible, continue to practice appropriate personal hygiene like regular handwashing and exercising appropriate social distancing when coming into contact with persons outside their home or place or residence.

2. Except as otherwise provided in this Order, non-essential businesses shall remain closed to the general public. Non-essential businesses are defined as businesses, establishments, organizations 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)
3. Closure of Certain Specific Businesses, Organizations and Facilities

1. Senior Centers. All senior citizen activities centers (as defined in Section 10­501 (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 the City of Laurel, Maryland ("Restaurants and Bars") shall remain closed to the general public, except that, in accordance with any social-distancing recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the Maryland Department of Health (“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; and

c. Outdoor dining at Restaurants and Bars will be permitted as allowed by the Governor of the State of Maryland.

  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 the City of Laurel, 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.

D. Theaters  

Theatres in the City of Laurel, Maryland at which live performances occur or motion pictures are shown shall remain closed to the general public, including drive-in theaters.

E. Malls

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

2.   Except as set forth in paragraphs III.E.3 through III.E.5 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.  Retail establishments may open for curbside service where the customer can order and pay for items online or over the telephone and arrive at the premises of the retail establishment with the items delivered to the customer’s car. There must be no direct contact between the establishment’s employee and customer and the employee and customer must wear appropriate face covering.

5.  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

c.   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. "Recreational Establishments" includes:

1. Bingo halls;
2. Bowling alleys;
3. Pool halls;
4. Amusement parks;
5. Roller- and ice-skating rinks;
6. Marinas and watercraft rental businesses;
7. Swimming pools;
8. Day camps;
9. Playgrounds;
10. Youth sports;
11. Tour boats;
12. Social and fraternal clubs, including without limitation, American Legion posts, VFW posts, and Elks Clubs;
13. Campgrounds; and
14. 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

The following establishments shall remain closed to the general public:

1. Tattoo parlors;
2. Tanning salons; and
3. Massage parlors. “Massage parlors” does not include licensed massage therapists providing massage therapy in health care settings, as defined in Title 6 of the Health Occupations Article of the Maryland Code.

IV.        Businesses, Organizations, Establishment and Facilities That May Open

A. Retail Establishments, except as provided in Paragraph III. E of this Order. The following rules must be adhered to:

1. Maintain physical distancing (greater than 6'), wherever possible, between employees and customers at curbside and in-store operations;
2. Employees and customers are required to wear face coverings that fully cover a person’s mouth and nose;
3. Physical distancing markers for staff and customers required;
4. High contact surfaces (those with hourly or greater contact frequency) will be cleaned with CDC and Environment Protection Agency (“EPA”) approved disinfectant at least every 2 hours;
5. All employees must receive training on CDC COVID-19 guidance appropriate to their workplace prior to working;
6. Online shopping and payment via digital platforms should be encouraged as much as possible.

B. Manufacturing. The following rules must be adhered to:

1. Maintain physical distancing (greater than 6'), wherever possible;
2. Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (“PPE”), including face coverings, by all staff;
3. Physical distancing markers for staff;
4. High contact surfaces (those with hourly or greater contact frequency) will be cleaned with CDC and EPA- approved disinfectant at least every 2 hours;
5. All employees must receive training on CDC COVID-19 guidance appropriate to their workplace prior to working.

C. Farmers Markets will be able to open for carryout only. Maintaining proper social distancing (greater than 6’) is required, wherever possible. Face coverings are required for vendors and customers and CDC and EPA guidelines for cleaning high use surfaces must be followed.

D. Childcare Facilities can open for dependents of Essential persons (as defined below) and persons returning to work due to the Modified Phase 1 Opening reflected in this Order. The following rules must be adhered to:

1. Maintain physical distancing (greater than 6'), wherever possible;
2. Use of PPE, including face coverings, by all employees;
3. High contact surfaces (those with hourly or greater contact frequency) will be cleaned with CDC and EPA- approved disinfectant at least every 2 hours;
4. All employees must receive training on CDC COVID-19 guidance appropriate to their workplace prior to working;
5. Daily symptom screenings for employees and children;
6. Staggered drop-offs and pick-ups;
7. Temporary exclusion for employees and children, following CDC and MDH guidelines, in the event of positive cases;
8. All applicable State and local regulations for the operation of a childcare facility must be followed.
9. “Essential persons” is defined as:

1. Providers of health, long-term, or acute inpatient care, emergency medical, or pharmacy services;
2. Public health employees;
3. Law enforcement personnel;
4. Correctional services employees;
5. Firefighters and other first responders;
6. Government employees required to work during the state of emergency or catastrophic health emergency;
7. Employees and representatives of insurance carriers, and those authorized by the Maryland Insurance Agency to engage in the business of insurance;
8. National Guard personnel called to active duty;
9. Staff and providers of childcare or education services, including custodial staff and food service providers;
10. Food distributors and suppliers, including food and supply services or distribution personnel;
11. Transportation and delivery services personnel;

• Gasoline service station operators and automobile repair mechanics;
• Critical infrastructure employees, including emergency support personnel for gas and electric utility operations, public works, water treatment, and waste management;

E. Fully Automatic Car Washes. Customers must be able to remain in their cars while obtaining service. There should be no physical contact between car wash employees and vehicle occupants. The interior of the vehicle may not be cleaned by car wash employees, but the outside of the vehicle may be wiped down by these employees so long as there is adherence to the no physical contact mandate.

F. Barbershops and Beauty Salons (the latter limited to only providing hair services and—blow drying, as described in Title 5 of the Business Occupations Article of the Maryland Code.) Customers must be served via appointment only; customers are not allowed to congregate in common sitting area waiting to be served. The following rules must also be adhered to:

1. Maintain physical distancing (greater than 6'), wherever possible;
2. Use of PPE, including face coverings, by all employees;
3. Physical distancing markers for staff;
4. Service is limited to 1 customer for every 200 square feet of service delivery space;
5. High contact surfaces (those with hourly or greater contact frequency) will be cleaned with CDC and EPA- approved disinfectant at least every 2 hours;
6. All employees must receive training on CDC COVID-19 guidance appropriate to their workplace prior to working.

G. Guidance is provided in the following sources: CDC Business and Workplace Toolkit; CDC COVID-19 FAQ for Businesses; CDC Guidance for Manufacturing Workers and Employers; CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Childcare Providers;  MSDE COVID-19 FAQ for Child Care Settings

   V.      For avoidance of doubt, the following activities are specifically allowed when done in compliance with applicable CDC and MDH social distancing guidance:

1. Outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, or individual and small group sports such as golfing (except miniature golf), 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.

VI. 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.

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

VIII. 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.

  IX.    This Executive Order shall remain in effect through June 10, 2020, unless amended or terminated earlier.

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 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 continue to keep any and all play equipment and structures CLOSED.

All homeowner’s association in the City of Laurel are directed to continue to keep any and all basketball courts and areas CLOSED.

All swimming pools, both public and private, in the City of Laurel shall remain CLOSED.

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 Monday, June 1, 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 https://coronavirus.cityoflaurel.org, the CDC at www.CDC.gov and the Maryland Department of Health at www.health.maryland.gov.