CITY OF LAUREL

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CRAIG A. MOE

MAYOR

Executive Order No. 2022- 03

Subject:        City of Laurel Declaration of                   Effective Date:  January 7, 2022

A State of Emergency and City

Operations During A Public Health Emergency,

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, duly elected Mayor of the City of Laurel, Maryland have been advised by the City’s Emergency Manager and the City Health Officer that COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death, is a public health and public safety emergency for the residents, businesses and employees of the City of Laurel; and

WHEREAS, a Declaration of a State of Emergency during a 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; and

WHEREAS, on March 5, 2020, the Governor of the State of Maryland declared a state of emergency and a catastrophic health emergency for the State of Maryland to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and these emergency declarations were later rescinded by the Governor; and

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization, on March 11, 2020, announced that the COVID-19 outbreak could be characterized as a pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Prince George’s County, Maryland previously issued the following emergency declarations: Executive Order Number 18-2021 dated August 5, 2021; CR-080-2021 adopted September 8, 2021; CR-122-2021 adopted October 19, 2021; CR-137-2021 adopted November 29, 2021; and

WHEREAS, a Declaration of State of Emergency was declared by the Mayor on March 13, 2020 and was rescinded on July 1, 2021; and

WHEREAS, community transmission of the COVID-19 virus and its variants within the City of Laurel, Prince George’s County, Maryland has significantly increased since November 1, 2021 and continues to threaten the lives, health and safety of the citizens of the City of Laurel; and

WHEREAS, based upon data analysis published January 3, 2022, the State of Maryland’s positivity rate is 27.44% and Prince George’s County’s positivity rate is 36.12%, the average daily case rate is 249.38 per 100,000 residents; and

WHEREAS, the metrics have continued to climb with 3,118 people currently hospitalized in the State of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 continues to pose an imminent threat to the health, safety and welfare of City of Laurel residents and City employees; and

WHEREAS, on January 4, 2022, Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr. issued a Proclamation declaring a State of Emergency and Existence of Catastrophic Health Emergency in the State of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, it is for the reasons stated above that I authorize and direct the following actions to assist with limiting the spread of the Coronavirus, COVID-19 and to protect the community and City employees.  The following actions shall take effect on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.:

All residents, staff, visitors, and vendors shall wear a facial covering (mask) that covers the nose and mouth in all City buildings and facilities.

Per Prince George’s County Resolution No. 137-2021, all persons over the age of two are required to wear a mask in all indoor public venues and businesses in Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel even if they are fully vaccinated. This includes, but is not limited to, restaurants, retail stores, entertainment venues, conference centers, and office settings. Some exceptions do apply, such as when an individual is actively eating or drinking or individuals who have a bona fide disability that prevents them from wearing a mask.

The City of Laurel’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), will be upgraded to an enhanced activation level and will continue to elevate as deemed appropriate by the City’s Emergency Manager or the Mayor.

The City will follow and enforce all State and County Executive Orders and regulations related to COVID-19.

The City encourages organizations to limit large gatherings, to include faith-based services, non-profit and services orgznizations to help stop the spread.

This public health emergency is rapidly changing Citywide, the City’s Emergency Manager  will continue to re-evaluate COVID-19 conditions daily.

PARKS AND RECREATION

All City recreation facilities will close for the six (6) weeks. Also, All City sponsored activities including classes, workshops, trips, sporting events, special events and rentals will be suspended until further notice.

​​All Senior Van Transportation will operate to transport members to medical appointments, kidney dialysis and local grocery stores.

With outdoor City Parks remaining open, we continue to encourage the public to follow all CDC guidelines.

All Laurel Helping Hands counseling sessions will be done via Teletherapy, no in person appointments.

PUBLIC WORKS

The City will continue to provide vital services, such as Refuse, Recycling and Organics Composting collections, on their regular schedules.  Special trash/bulk pick up services will continue as normal, but the schedule is subject to change.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

All inspections performed by the Office of the Fire Marshal and Permit Services will continue, but may change depending on COVID-19 metrics.

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Zoning approvals, permits and plans due to expire may be extended for a period of up to six (6) months with the approval of the Director.

The Director is authoritized to assist restaurants that rely on indoor patrons by allowing outdoor tents to keep business open. 

MUNICIPAL CENTER

The Municipal Center will remain open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. will be used for Municipal Center cleaning by employees.

All evening meetings to include the Mayor and City Council, City of Laurel Boards, Commissions and Advisory Committees will continue to meet virtually.

Application process for Passports shall continue to be by appointment only.

LAUREL POLICE

Citizen Ride-Along and station tours shall be suspended until further notice.

Laurel Police Department volunteers program shall be suspended until future notice.

Dispatchers with the Laurel Police Department will provide an enhanced level of call screening to determine if anyone at the call location is experiencing flu like symptoms, so on scene Officers can be notified of their findings.

Finger printing services shall be by appointment only.

This Executive Order shall take effect on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. and sahll remain in effect until modified or recinded.

__________________________

Craig A. Moe

Mayor

Received and filed January 6, 2022:

_____________________________________________

Kimberley A. Rau, MMC