Executive Order No. 2022- 03.2

Subject:  REVISED City of Laurel Declaration of      Effective Date:   February 28, 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for the State of Maryland to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and these emergency declarations were later rescinded by the Governor; and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WHEREAS, a Declaration of State of Emergency was declared by the Mayor on March 13, 2020 and was rescinded on July 1, 2021; and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, 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, based upon data analysis published February 25, 2022, the State of Maryland’s positivity rate is down to 2.78%; and

WHEREAS, the metrics have continued to drop with 459 people currently hospitalized in the State of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, it is for the reasons stated above that I authorize and direct the following actions effective Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 a.m.:

The City encourages those that feel the need to continue to wear facial coverings in any City Buildings and Facilities to do so, but facial coverings are not required.

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

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

PARKS AND RECREATION

​​All Senior Van Transportation and other public transportation drivers and passaengers shall continue to wear face coverings while in the vehicle.

Other than the one (1) directive listed above, the Deparment of Parks and Recreation shall return to normal operations.

PUBLIC WORKS

The Department of Public Works shall return to normal operations.

DEPARTMENT OF THE FIRE MARSHAL AND PERMIT SERVICES

The Department of the Fire Marshal and Permit Service shall return to normal operations.

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 businesses open. 

Other than the two (2) directives listed above, the Department of Economic and Community Development shall return to normal operations.

All other City of Laurel Departments and Offices shall return to normal operations, effective on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 a.m.

MUNICIPAL CENTER

All evening meetings to include the Mayor and City Council, City of Laurel Boards, Commissions and Advisory Committees will continue to meet virtually until March 28, 2022 at which time they may go back to in-person meetings.

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

Other than the two (2) directives listed above, the Municipal Center shall return to normal operations.

LAUREL POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Laurel Polilce Deparment shall return to normal operations.

This Executive Order shall take effect on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. and shall remain in effect until modified or recinded.

Craig A. Moe

Mayor

Received and filed February 26, 2022:

Kimberley A. Rau, MMC, Clerk to the City Council