Here is the Mayor's Revised State of Emergency Order. City Recreation Centers to reopen February 8, 2022. Senior Van Transportation returns to normal operations.
Executive Order No. 2022- 03.1
Subject: REVISED City of Laurel Declaration of Effective Date: February 8, 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for the State of Maryland to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and these emergency declarations were later rescinded by the Governor; and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WHEREAS, a Declaration of State of Emergency was declared by the Mayor on March 13, 2020 and was rescinded on July 1, 2021; and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, in November 2021 community transmission of the COVID-19 virus and its variants within the City of Laurel, Prince George’s County, Maryland had started to increase; and
WHEREAS, on January 4, 2022, COVID-19 virus transmissions, positivity rates and hospitalizations Statewide had increased significantly, prompting Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr. to issue a Proclamation declaring a State of Emergency and Existence of Catastrophic Health Emergency in the State of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2022, Mayor Craig A. Moe issued Executive Order No. 2022-03 Declaring a State of Emergency in the City of Laurel in order to protect the lives, health and safety of the citizens of the City of Laurel; and
WHEREAS, based upon data analysis published February 3, 2022, the State of Maryland’s positivity rate is down to 7.15% and Prince George’s County’s positivity rate is down to 5.51%, the average daily case rate is 168 per 100,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, the metrics have continued to drop with 1,458 people currently hospitalized in the State of Maryland; and
WHEREAS, on February 3, 2022, Governor Hogan issued a proclamation terminating and rescinding the Proclamation of the State of Emergency and Catastrophic Health Emergency-COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, it is for the reasons stated above that I authorize and direct the following actions. The following actions shall take effect on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 7:00 a.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 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 reopen to the public on February 8, 2022 with face coverings still being required while inside any City owned or operated facility. re-open.
All Senior Van Transportation will return to full operation .
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 Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. and shall remain in effect until modified or recinded.
__________________________
Craig A. Moe
Mayor
Received and filed February 4, 2022:
_____________________________________________
Kimberley A. Rau, MMC, Clerk to the City Council
