Prince George's Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate, Partially Follows MD

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County on Friday lifted its outdoor mask mandate. Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday permitted jurisdictions to ease this regulation.

As always, individual counties may be more restrictive. They may not be more lenient than the governor, however.

"This is exciting news for those fully vaccinated," County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said in a press release. "We still urge caution and we encourage those who are not vaccinated, to take the vaccine and join the growing number of Prince Georgians who are Proud to be Protected from COVID-19."

Hogan also cleared local leaders to end outdoor dining restrictions. Prince George's did not take this offer. Alsobrooks told residents to expect an update "in the near future."

Current Rules

Prince George's County last eased coronavirus regulations on March 12. That's when Alsobrooks let all businesses expand to half capacity. Her decision lagged behind Hogan's reopening timeline, which allowed establishments to operate at full volume if their local government permitted.

Large venues across the state are still limited to half capacity. This includes indoor and outdoor facilities for:

• Concerts
• Movies (Except drive-in theaters)
• Performances
• Sports
• Weddings

Restaurant parties still have to stay seated and remain 6 feet apart. Customers are not allowed to stand at bars. Though Hogan let eateries drop these rules for outdoor dining, Prince George's will keep them for now.

Senior centers and county government buildings remain closed.

Prince George's will also retain its social gathering restriction. Crowds must not exceed 20 people inside or 50 people outside.

The governor's previous mask mandate required residents to cover up in all public places where physical distancing was not possible. This included downtown areas and shopping centers.

The new rule still requires masks for:

• All indoor public places
• Public transportation
• Large ticketed venues like stadiums, even if they are outside

All of the coronavirus regulations in Prince George's County are posted at this link.

Current CDC Recommendations

Hogan's decisions mostly align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC released updated mask guidance on Tuesday, clearing fully vaccinated residents to go maskless outside. The organization still recommends that they wear face coverings in large crowds.

The governor took it a step further. His new executive order allows everybody to drop the masks outside, regardless of their immunization status.

Hogan thinks it isn't realistic to check the inoculation record of every maskless person outdoors. He also pointed to evidence that the virus is less transmissible in the open air.

The governor encouraged unvaccinated locals to wear face coverings if they can't physically distance outside. He also advised Marylanders to move their gatherings outdoors to stay safer.

"We expect to be able to take additional actions in the weeks ahead and to return to a sense of normalcy," Hogan said at a press conference. "The fastest way to put this pandemic behind us once and for all is for every single eligible Marylander to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

Health Metrics

Twenty-four percent of Prince George's County residents are fully immunized. About 37 percent have gotten at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

The case rate is at its lowest clip since Oct. 27, 2020. The percent positivity is at its best mark since March 13. And hospitalizations are at their lowest point since the week of March 21.

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

Anybody 16 or older can now get the coronavirus vaccine at providers across the state. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot.

Catch up on the infection and inoculation metrics in Prince George's County with our most recent numbers update. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news.

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RELATED:

• Vaccines Rise, Cases Fall In Prince George's County
• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Prince George's County
• MD Sees Biggest Drop Of COVID Cases, J&J Vaccine Usage Resumes
• Vaccine Preregistration No Longer Needed At Prince George's Sites
• MD Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate, Ends Outside Dining Restrictions

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.