Below please find the Prince George’s County Health Department Directive which takes effect at 5 pm on Sunday, November 15, 2020. The same directives will go into effect in the City of Laurel at that time.
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DIRECTIVE AND ORDER FOR ENHANCED CONSUMER AND EMPLOYEE
SAFETY
Pursuant for Code of Maryland Regulations, Sec. 10.06.01.06
I, Ernest L. Carter, MD, PhD, Health Officer for Prince George’s County, as a designee for
Robert R. Neall, Secretary of Health for the State of Maryland, finding it necessary for the
control and medical containment of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease
that it causes – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), in light of the recent increase of
several essential metrics which indicate further spread of COVID-19, and in order to
reducethe threat to human health, to protect and save lives, it is necessary and reasonable to
implement the following measures to ensure public safety and welfare of all persons in the
County:
1. Sections II (“Face Coverings) and III (“General Requirements for all establishments
allowed to open/operate in the County”) of CR-121-2020, adopted by the County Council
on November 10, 2020, are applicable and incorporated into this Health Directive.
2. All Restaurants (which includes any establishment that sells food or beverages for
consumption in Prince George’s County, Maryland) providing outdoor and/or indoor
dining shall adhere to following rules:
a. must maintain a daily record of all patrons for at least 30 days to assist with
contract tracing.
b. Signage must be posted at each entrance advising customers and visitors:
i. compliance with face coverings rules are mandatory at all times when not
eating or drinking;
ii. must maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet apart when waiting to be
seated or while seated at the bar.
3. Restaurants (Indoor Dining): Any establishment that sells food or beverages for
consumption on premises and indoors, may operate at limit of 1 patron per 200 square
feet, or up to 25% of maximum capacity, whichever is lower.
4. All Retail Establishments (including large retail and grocery stores) may operate at 1
person per 200 square feet, or up to 50% of maximum occupancy, whichever is lower.
5. Large gatherings and events: Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure,
and sporting gatherings and events (unless specifically allowed otherwise) are limited to
one person per 200 square feet, or a maximum of 10 persons—whichever is lower— at
all indoor locations and venues, including but not limited to: private residences, parades,
festivals, conventions, and fundraisers. All outdoor locations and venues included in this
paragraph, are limited to one person per 200 square feet, or a maximum of 25 persons—
whichever is lower. Planned larger gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed.
6. Banquet, Receptions and Meeting Room in Hotels, Conference Centers and Similar
Establishments that offer dining (other than Restaurants) or meeting facilities to the
public are limited to a capacity of 1 patron per 200 square feet, or 25% of maximum
occupancy, whichever is lower.
7. Bingo Halls are limited to 1 patron per 200 square feet, or 25% of maximum occupancy,
whichever is lower.
8. Bowling alleys are limited 1 patron per 200 square feet, not to exceed 25% of maximum
occupancy, but under no circumstance may exceed 50 patrons.
9. Cigar, Hookah and Vape Establishments may operate at 1 patron per 200 square feet, or
25% of maximum occupancy, whichever is lower.
10. Fitness Center. Fitness centers include fitness centers, health clubs, gyms, outdoor
aquatic centers, and self-defense schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Fitness
Centers are limited to 1 patron per 200 square feet of fitness space, not to exceed 25%
maximum capacity. Face coverings must be worn when working out in a fitness center.
11. Gaming facilities and casinos such as MGM National Harbor and simulcast betting
facilities (outside of horse racing establishments) may operate at 1 patron per 200 square
feet, or a 50% of maximum occupancy, whichever is lower.
12. Indoor Skating Rinks (roller and ice) may operate at 1 patron per 200 square feet, or 25%
of maximum occupancy, whichever is lower.
13. Outdoor movie theaters. In addition to other rules set forth in CR-121-2020, any outdoor
theater allowed to operate will not exceed a maximum of 100 vehicles or such other
lower amount as may be approved by the COVID Compliance Team.
14. Outdoor and indoor swimming pools, both public and private, may operate up to a
maximum capacity of 25%.
15. Personal Services. Personal services include barbershops, beauty salons, esthetic and nail
services, tattoo services, tanning, massages, hot tub and sauna services. Personal services
establishments may operate at 1 patron per 200 square feet, or 25% of maximum
occupancy, whichever is lower.
16. Places of Worship: Indoor services are limited to 1 person per 200 square feet, or 25% of
maximum occupancy, whichever is lower. Outdoor services continue to be limited to a
maximum of 125 persons while maintaining appropriate social distancing.
17. Pool Halls may operate at 1 patron per 200 square feet, or 25% of maximum occupancy,
whichever is lower.
18. Recreation Facilities (including social and fraternal clubs) may operate at 1 patron per
200 square feet, or 25% of maximum occupancy, whichever is lower.
19. Youth and Amateur Sports (this does not include collegiate sports): Sports as set forth in
CR-121-2020 may be played outdoors with a limit on the number of persons present
(excluding athletes and coaches) at 25 persons. The number of persons present may
exceed 25 persons solely to accommodate the presence of 1 parent or guardian spectator
per youth participant.
20. Sports (Collegiate and Professional): The number of spectators is limited to 10%
maximum capacity applicable to each designated section of the facility. Facial coverings
and social distancing is required for anyone not participating in the sporting activity.
There is no tailgating.
21. All rules set forth in CR-121-2020 that have not been amended pursuant to this Health
Directive remain in full force and effect.
22. The County will conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections of establishments in
Prince George’s County. Any owner/operator of an establishment that does not comply
with this Directive will be subject to a civil fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or closure of
the establishment.
23.A person who knowingly and willfully violates this Directive is guilty of a misdemeanorand on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine notexceeding $5000
or both.
24. This Directive and Order will be enforced by the Prince George’s County Health Department, with the assistance of additional Prince George’s County agencies, including law enforcement as needed.
THIS DIRECTIVE AND ORDER IS ISSUED UNDER MY HAND THIS 12TH DAY OF
NOVEMBER 2020, AND IS EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
______________________________
Ernest L. Carter, MD, PhD,
Health Officer, Prince George’s County
