Mayor Craig A. Moe signed Executive Order No. 2021-01 that will take effect at 12:00pm on January 29, 2021.

In accordance with the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County orders, Mayor Moe has issued the following Executive Order to assist in the continued fight for the public health and economic hardships during 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 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 20-11-17-01, issued November 17, 2020, specifically authorized political subdivisions to issue more restrictive orders than issued by the Governor including requiring any businesses, organizations, establishments, or facilities (except schools) to close or modify their operations; and/or requiring individuals to remain indoors or to refrain from congregating; and

WHEREAS, Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks issued Executive Order Number 27-2020 dated December 15, 2020; CR-002-2021 adopted on January 12, 2021; Executive Order No. 3-2021 dated January 26, 2021; and

WHEREAS, based upon data analysis as of January 24, 2021, the County had 65,628 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19; the County’s infection rate is 0.93; its positivity rate is 9.2%; hospital capacity is 46.6%; there have been 1,175 deaths and 6,705 hospitalizations; and

WHEREAS, the average daily case rate last week was 46.8 new cases per 100,000 residents, which places the County in the “critical risk” category; and

WHEREAS, as referenced above, Prince George’s County has begun to show a slight decrease in several COVID-19 metrics that support a modification in operations for restaurants and other similar establishments that sell food or beverages for consumption inside the establishment in Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel, Maryland; and

WHEREAS, despite the recent decreases in the aforementioned metrics, Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel continue to be in the high-risk category of disease transmission, health experts have confirmed that the country is in a second wave of COVID-19 transmission exacerbated by behaviors from the recent Holidays, upcoming winter months will lead to increased indoor activities, the influenza season, and of community spread of new COVID-19 variants, it is necessary that the City remain in a Phase 1/Phase 2 (modified) stage of re-opening; and

WHEREAS, the City of Laurel previously issued Executive Order No. 2020-27 effective on December 16, 2020; and

WHEREAS,  the City of Laurel located within Prince George's County, Maryland has also seen a slight decrease in the number of positive cases of COVID-19, and after consultation with the City of Laurel Health Officer and in order to reduce the 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 City of Laurel effective January 29, 2021 at 12:00 pm:

A. Restaurants. Restaurants and other similar establishments that sell food or beverages for consumption in the City of Laurel, Maryland ("Restaurants") may open to the general public, subject to the following conditions:

1. Food or beverages are promptly taken from the premises, i.e., on a carry­out or drive-through basis; or

2. Delivered to customers off the premises; or

3. Outdoor dining at Restaurants will be permitted if there is adherence the following rules:

a. Establishment has current approval for outdoor dining or receives a Restaurant Temporary Outdoor Seating Area permit;

b. Adherence to Sections II and III of CR-002-2021;

c. Ensure tables are seated at least six feet away from each other, except for households seated together;

d. Do not allow groups larger than six persons to be seated together, except members of the same household;

e. Number of patrons should not exceed 50% capacity for outdoor dining space as approved by the City;

f. Must maintain a daily record of all patrons for at least 30 days to assist with contact tracing;

g. Signage must be posted at each entrance advising customers and visitors:

i. Compliance with face covering 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;

h. All employees must receive health screenings prior to their shifts;

i. No food service in a buffet format;

j. Clean and disinfect each table and chairs between each seating in accordance with CDC and MDH guidelines, using cleaning products that meet the criteria of the EPA guidelines for use against COVID-19;

k. Hand sanitizer and appropriate hand washing facilities must be available;

l. Use of single-use disposable paper menus or sanitize reusable menus between each seating;

             m. Payment via digital platforms should be encouraged;

  n. In accordance with the Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland Number 20-11-17-01, Restaurants may not be open to the public between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; however, during such hours carry-out, drive-through or delivery service may continue; and

o. Any other applicable laws or regulations.

4. Indoor dining permissible at 1 person/household per 200 square feet, or 25% maximum capacity, whichever is lower. Also, there must be adherence to the regulations that apply to outdoor dining (except for 50% capacity rule).
5. Social and fraternal clubs, permissible via applicable laws or regulations, may offer indoor and outdoor dining in accordance with this Section A of this Executive Order and all other provisions of CR-002-2021 that are not inconsistent with this Executive Order.

B. Banquet, Receptions and Meeting Room in Hotels, Conference Centers and Similar Establishments that offer dining (other than restaurants) or meeting facilities to the public must adhere to following rules:

1. Maintain physical distancing (greater than 6') between event attendees;
2. Maintain physical distancing (greater than 6'), whenever possible, between employees and attendees;
3. Adherence to Sections II and III of this CR-02-2021;
4. No more than 1 person/household per 200 square feet, or 25% maximum capacity applicable to the specific room where event will be held, EXCEPT that under no circumstance shall any event allow more than 150 attendees;
5. Ensure tables are seated at least six feet away from each other;
6. Do not allow groups larger than six persons to be seated together;
7. All employees must receive health screenings prior to their shifts;
8. No food service in a buffet format;
9. Clean and disinfect tables and chairs in between each event and in accordance with CDC and MDH guidelines, using cleaning products that meet the criteria of the EPA guidelines for use against COVID-19;
10. Hand sanitizer and appropriate hand washing facilities must be available;
11. If applicable, payment via digital platforms should be encouraged; and

           12.  Process for specific questions pertaining to an event scheduled or in process of being scheduled through June 30, 2021

                   a. If there are questions whether a specific event’s plans comply with these rules, an email should be submitted to [email protected], with complete plans for the event

              b. Prince George’s County has stated that all inquiries would be reviewed by Health Department and the Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management staff members

                           c. A response will be provided within 10 business days of receipt of request

              13. Any other applicable laws or regulations pertaining to an establishment must also be followed.

C.  Gaming facilities and casinos such as MGM National Harbor and simulcast betting facilities (outside of horse racing establishments) may provide indoor food or beverage service and may continue to provide outdoor dining subject to the provisions contained in Sections A and B of this Executive Order (as applicable) and all other provisions of CR-002-2021 and City of Laurel Executive Order No. 27-2020, that are not inconsistent with this Executive Order, including but not limited to, Section II (Face Coverings) and Section III (General Rules for All Establishments Allowed to Open or Operate).

1. For purposes of this Executive Order, Maximum Capacity means the maximum occupancy load under the applicable fire code, as set forth on the certificate issued for the establishment by a local fire code official. If no such certificate has been issued, the maximum occupancy is as determined by applicable laws, regulations and permits.
2. The directives set forth herein will be enforced by the Prince George’s County Health Department, City of Laurel Police Department and the City of Laurel Office of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services staff, as needed.
3. 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.
4. Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel will conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections of retail, restaurant, and business establishments to check for compliance with this Order. Non-compliance with this Order may subject the owner and/or operator to a civil fine not exceeding $1,000 pursuant to the Prince George’s County Code and the City of Laurel Code and may subject the establishments to closure pursuant to the legal authority of the Health Officer or other legal authority.
5. This Executive Order supersedes any inconsistent provision of Executive Order No. 2020-27. All other provisions of Executive Order No. 2020-27, not inconsistent with this Executive Order including, but not limited to, Section II (Face Coverings) and Section III (General Rules for All Establishments Allowed to Open or Operate) remain in full force and effect; and
6.  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 basketball courts and areas are CLOSED.

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

All City of Laurel parks has remained 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. Face Coverings are required.

All City offices remain open; however, service delivery will be conducted online or by telephone when at all possible.

All City of Laurel picnic pavilions will remain CLOSED.

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 will take effect at 12:00 p.m. on January 29, 2021 and shall remain in effect until further notice or this Executive Order has been amended or rescinded.

You are also asked to continue to follow CDC recommendations and guidelines of social distancing, wearing a face mask that covers the nose and mouth, continue to wash your hands and clean surfaces regularly, and whether you are showing symptoms or not, to get tested. These are proven ways to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keep yourself and your community safe. For a list of COVID-19 testing sites, visit https://health.maryland.gov/covid/Pages/default.aspx.

To stay up to date on the vaccine distribution or daily COVID-19 numbers, visit our COVID-19 webpage at coronavirus.cityoflaurel.org, along with the CDC at www.CDC.gov, the Maryland Department of Health at www.health.maryland.gov and the Prince George’s County Health Department at https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1588/Health-Services.

And Mayor Moe encourages all residents of the City of Laurel to register for the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available by visiting, https://CovidVaccineReg.princegeorgescountymd.gov/.

Thank you for your continued cooperation during the pandemic and stay safe.