Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman will host seven online budget town halls over the next month to discuss the upcoming Fiscal Year 2022 budget. Due to the COVID pandemic, the town halls will be conducted by videoconference this year. More information is available here:

https://www.severnaparkvoice.com/stories/pittman-announces-budget-town-halls,32353?

Here is a link to a Capital gazette article regarding the restraining order to keep indoor dining open in Anne Arundel County.

The County Executive has spoken and the following restrictions will be instituted effective 12/16/20

List of all new or amended actions, effective Wednesday, December 16 at 5:00 p.m. until January 13 at 8:00 a.m.:

• Personal Services Establishments (hair stylist, nail salons, barbers) – decreased to 25% of that Establishment’s Maximum Occupancy.

• Religious Facility – decreased to 33% of that Religious Facility’s Maximum Occupancy. A Religious Facility may hold outdoor services for Christmas, Hanukkah or other recognized religious holidays with a gathering limit of no more than 250 persons, provided the Facility requires strict adherence to the Mandatory Health and Safety Protocols.

• Retail Establishment – decreased to 25% capacity.

• Fellowship Addiction Recovery– decreased to 25% capacity or 50 persons, whichever is less.

• Foodservice Establishments located in food courts in indoor shopping malls – restricted to carryout, delivery or curbside service only.

• Foodservice Establishments– restricted to carryout, delivery or curbside service only. No indoor or outdoor seating is permitted.

• Food distribution sites (food pantries, etc.) that serve or donate food to people in need at no cost may continue to operate subject to Mandatory Health and Safety Protocols.

• Social Clubs including American Legion posts, VFW posts, and Elks Clubs, restricted to 25% capacity and no food or beverages service.

• Indoor social gatherings of more than 10 people remain prohibited. Outdoor social gatherings of more than 25 people remain prohibited.

• “Social gatherings” does not include activities, facilities or venues that have a specific capacity limit or are ordered closed under this Local Executive Order No. 39.

• “Social gatherings” includes family gatherings, parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, flea markets, yard sales, and other gatherings that are not associated with operating or patronizing a business that sells merchandise from a location with a posted Maximum

• All organized sports play or practice is suspended, including private schools, and school or church gyms.

• Fitness Centers are restricted to 25% capacity and may not conduct classes or group fitness activities; all staff and customers must wear face coverings at all times.

• Gaming Facilities (casinos) are restricted to 25% capacity and no alcohol or food service except for carryout, delivery or curbside service.

• Indoor Theaters are closed.

• Indoor or outdoor venues for live performances are closed.

• Bingo, bowling alleys, pool halls, roller rinks, and indoor ice rinks shall close.

• All outdoor sporting venues including professional, semi-professional, amateur, recreational, collegiate, high school and motor sports venues are closed.

• Adult Entertainment venues are closed.

• Cigar and hookah lounges are closed but may sell retail products.

• Local annual license fees for Foodservice Establishments are waived and deemed paid for calendar year 2021.

 

Anne Arundel County Acts to Limit COVID-19 Surge 

County announces new actions on social gatherings, youth athletics and indoor dining capacity

Glen Burnie, MD (November 12, 2020) Taking action to attempt to curb a sudden increase in COVID cases, County Executive Steuart Pittman announced several new restrictions today at the county’s Emergency Operation Center with County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, and top county public safety officials.

 

Anne Arundel County will impose new social gathering limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors starting on Friday, and suspend youth athletics beginning on Monday. Maximum capacity for indoor dining operations in bars and restaurants will also be reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent beginning on Friday, November 20. 

 

“Waiting is not an option,” said County Executive Pittman.”Like our neighboring jurisdictions, we are acting now to slow the spread that will inevitably lead to a hospitalization surge at a time when our hospitals are operating near capacity. This is a more dangerous moment than we faced in the spring, so there is no question that we must take action.”  

 

At a November 10 media event, Governor Larry Hogan emphasized the alarming trend of Maryland’s COVID case rate and positivity rate, and reinforced local jurisdictions’ authority to take action. With state and county health metrics spiking, County Executive Pittman and Dr. Kalyanaraman acted today, rather than await additional measures from the state.

 

“We’re hitting a new case rate high each day,” said Dr. Kalyanaraman. “We know what we need to do to control this surge. In addition to today’s actions, each of us must commit to wearing a mask, watching our distance, washing our hands and limiting activity. It will take sacrifice, but we crushed the curve once and we can do it again.” 

 

 

Effective Friday, November 13 at 5:00 p.m.

· Maximum number of people permitted at a social gathering are 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. (A social gathering is any informal gathering of people that is not explicitly covered in other current executive orders.)

 

Effective Monday, November 16 at 8:00 a.m.

· Youth athletics are suspended for all county fields and facilities.

 

Effective Friday, November 20 at 5:00 p.m.

· Maximum capacity for indoor dining operations in restaurants, bars and any food establishment  will also be reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent.

Both the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are reviewing their enforcement protocols and assessing options for enhancements. County Executive Pittman will also continue to monitor the COVID-19 metrics and consult with Dr. Kalyanaraman to determine when and if additional interventions are needed to protect the health and safety of county residents. 

 

The County Executive will sign an executive order implementing the new restrictions later today. The executive order and an updated version of the county’s Frequently Asked Questions document will be available shortly at https://www.aacounty.org/coronavirus/road-to-recovery.