If you are a sports fan, you may have seen that from the
time when the National Hockey League returned in August through the final
weeks of play, it had zero positive COVID-19 tests. The NHL
conducted 33,174 tests during that time among the 24 teams that were
competing, as is documented in this Time
Magazine story. The NHL accomplished this by keeping all of
its essential personnel in two “bubbles,” central locations in which no
outsiders were permitted and where strict guidelines and procedures were
implemented.
Unfortunately for the rest of the world, including those of
us in Montgomery County, we do not operate in a bubble. While many of you
are following the guidelines we have implemented, others are not and the
virus has continued to spread.
Some have asked why we can’t move to Phase 3 of reopening
and ease up on the restrictions we have in place. We are not doing that
because I am following the guidance of our public health experts and
examination of the data. Our numbers are higher right now than they were
when we began Phase 2 reopening guidelines. Some of the indicators are
improving, including reduced hospitalization rates. Our numbers have been
going up and down, but we need them to go down—constantly and
consistently.
When we have been advised that lifting certain restrictions
could be done safely, we have done so. However, when we are concerned
about activities that could contribute to the spread of Covid-19, we have
implemented restrictions.
In August, we limited restaurants and bars from serving
alcohol after 10 p.m. We have seen that, later at night—as people
drink more and eat less—there tends to be more violations of physical
distancing, mask wearing and other requirements. We do not have enough
inspectors to constantly enforce the restrictions. We heard from many
business owners who were upset with this restriction, and my staff has
worked with representatives from the industry to develop modified
guidelines. This week I issued an updated Executive Order that will allow
many restaurants to sell alcohol on their premises up to midnight and
today the County Council approved the amended guidelines. You can read
more about the updated order here.
Under the new provisions that go into effect today,
restaurant owners will take more responsibility toward enforcing safety
guidelines, especially if they get late-night alcohol permits. Violations
will be costly to them financially. We want them to succeed in enforcing
these regulations.
We all have a stake in their ability to make this program
work. When people act safely in restaurants, there is more chance they
will stay safe—and less chance they will be carriers of COVID-19 to their
friends, family and co-workers.
Every time we can make a next step in reopening our County
work, it provides helpful information on how we can expand our reopening
in other aspects. Today’s step is an important one for restaurants and
bars. Making it work is important to all of us.
I can’t emphasize enough: I want to see all of our County
reopen. It gives me no pleasure to institute these restrictions and
requirements, but I do it because I have a responsibility to protect the
public health.
So, please keep doing your part to help stop the spread of
COVID-19. You can make a difference.
Marc Elrich, County Executive
P.S. In my video, which is linked below, I show the drop
boxes for mail-in ballots and talk about plans for the upcoming election.
Many Montgomery
Restaurants and Bars Can Begin Serving Alcohol After 10 p.m.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposal to allow
many County restaurants and bars to serve alcohol after 10 p.m. was
approved by the Montgomery County Council on Oct. 1. The proposal, which
County Executive Elrich made after consulting with County Health Officer
Travis Gayles, updated the Executive Order regarding safety regulations
during the continuing COVID-19 health crisis. Establishments can begin
applying to be part of the late-night program immediately.
COVID-19 Testing
Now Available at More than 45 Sites in County; 14 Upcoming Opportunities
at Free County-Operated Clinics
There are more than 45 sites in Montgomery County where
residents can get tested for COVID-19, including County-operated and
privately operated clinics. There will be County-operated testing at 14
clinics on the upcoming schedule.
Testing at County clinics is free, does not require a
doctor’s referral and is available by making advance appointments or on a
walk-up basis. Reservations can be made online at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.
Voting Update:
Avoid Lines and Stay Safe by Voting by Mail
Election day—Tuesday, Nov. 3—is about one month away, and
for those who have ordered mail-in ballots (it is not too late to do
that), they will arrive soon, if they have not already arrived. In
Montgomery County, there will be only about 40 polling places open
throughout the County on Election Day (usually there are 255 voting
locations). There is some important information about voting you will
want to know.
Montgomery Parks
Cancels 2020 Garden of Lights Winter Display at Brookside Gardens
The
annual Garden of Lights winter light
display and garden railway
exhibit at Brookside Gardens
in Wheaton has been cancelled by Montgomery Parks for 2020 due to the
continuing COVID-19 health crisis. The Washington,
Virginia and Maryland Garden Railway Society’s G-scale train exhibit that
is traditionally hosted in the Brookside Conservatory also will
not be held.
Montgomery County
Recreation Starts New Pool Reservation System
Montgomery County Recreation has started a new pool
reservation system designed to create an easier and better user experience
at the County’s four indoor aquatic centers. The new system is for
reservations beginning Monday, Oct. 5.
The reservation system is now in effect
for the Germantown Indoor Swim Center, the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic
Center in North Bethesda and the Olney Swim Center. It will apply to
the Martin Luther King Jr. Indoor Swim Center in White Oak after it
reopens following renovations in November.
County Executive
is Holding Series of Virtual FY22 Budget Forums; Next One on Thursday,
Oct. 8
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is holding a series
of virtual forums about priorities for the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22)
Operating Budget and the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. The next
forum will be held starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, and will focus
on the operating budget. Each of the forums will be hosted via Microsoft
Teams.
Montgomery County
to Join Celebrations of October as ‘Energy Action Month’ and Oct. 7 as
‘Energy Efficiency Day’ with Focus on Lowering Energy Use and Costs
October is “Energy
Action Month” and Wednesday, Oct. 7, is annually designated at “Energy
Efficiency Day.” To join the national celebrations of each,
Montgomery County, through the Montgomery Energy Connection
network, will be hosting events in partnership with the County’s
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Montgomery County Recreation,
the County’s Department of Health and Human Services and community
partners to provide residents with information and
opportunities to lower energy costs.
New Deadline on
2020 Census Will Have Operations Closing on Monday, Oct. 5
The U.S. Census Bureau has announced a new deadline in which
it will be closing self-response and field operations for the 2020 Census
on Monday, Oct. 5. All households who have not yet responded
are urged to do so online immediately at my2020census.gov
or via phone at 844-330-2020. There are multiple language options
available online and via phone.
Maryland Extends
Homeowners’ and Renters’ Property Tax Credit Deadlines
The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation
(SDAT) is extending the deadline to apply for 2020 Homeowners’ and
Renters’ Property Tax Credits from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. The Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Program
provides tax relief for eligible homeowners by setting a limit on the
amount of property taxes owed based on their income.
Residents Can
Enter the County’s Climate Change Plan Art Contest
County residents are invited to submit artwork in a
variety of media to Montgomery County’s Climate Change Plan Art
Contest. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31—although early submissions
are encouraged. Winners will receive $100 prizes.
Montgomery County
Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Transportation to
Host “Walktober” to Promote Pedestrian Safety, Access and Health
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)
has partnered with State and local agencies, nonprofits and communities
across Maryland to celebrate “Walktober,” a month-long series of
activities and virtual webinars in October promoting the State’s official
exercise: walking. “Walktober” features celebration of the sixth annual
Walk Maryland Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7, as well as four webinars focusing
on pedestrian safety, health and walking a commuting option.
Maryland named walking as the official State exercise in
October 2008.
Taste of Fenton
Village Becomes Month-long Event Throughout October
The COVID-19 health crisis has led to many changes, and in
some cases, cancellations of events this year. However, the Taste the
World in Fenton Village celebration in the Fenton
Village neighborhood adjacent to Downtown Silver Spring will go on with
a new look and modified schedule. This year’s celebration will be held
throughout October.
Montgomery Parks, which is part of The Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission, is updating the master plan for
Wheaton Regional Park and is asking residents for their ideas on the
park’s future.
