Mask Mandate Lifted Oct. 28 At 12:01 A.M. In MOCO

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The county's indoor mask mandate ended at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. Montgomery County has hit seven consecutive days of moderate coronavirus transmission, the trigger that the Board of Health decided would end the mandate when it was reinstated in August.

If the rate of transmission increases to substantial again, the mandate will be reinstated. Moderate transmission is defined as 50 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days, according to the Center for Disease Control.

“The lifting of our indoor mask mandate is a significant achievement for Montgomery County and its residents,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a statement. “We got here because the people and businesses of this County accepted and adhered to the guidance we provided. Even though the mandate has been lifted, I will continue to wear a mask indoors and while in crowded outdoor settings because wearing a mask, as well as being fully vaccinated, are the best ways to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.”

Businesses in the county will still be permitted to require masks for customers if they choose. The end of the county's mandate does not change the school system's mandate. Montgomery County Public Schools makes decisions for their policies, not the county council.

"All MCPS students, staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings in school buildings and offices, regardless of vaccination status," said MCPS in an announcement after the county's mandate was lifted. "This decision aligns with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as local health officials. Additionally, students and staff are required to wear masks on school buses. Face coverings are not required outdoors, but are strongly recommended for unvaccinated individuals."

Masks are also required on public transportation including Ride On buses and the Flash, according to an order from the Transportation Security Administration.

County Council President Tom Hucker said that the mask requirement also still stands for childcare and health care settings.

Elrich noted that many counties in the nation are seeing substantial and high spread of coronavirus, according to the CDC's map.

"There's no secret sauce in Montgomery County" said Elrich during a meeting with reporters Wednesday. "We had a set of rules that kept people safe and people took those rule seriously."

Elrich urged residents to remain careful and wear masks if they are unvaccinated.

This story has been updated.

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