Controversial Private School Directive Rescinded By County

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles on Friday rescinded his order delaying in-person instruction at private schools through Oct. 1.

The move comes less than 24 hours after Maryland's health secretary announced that counties could not order blanket school closures. This is the third directive Gayles has rescinded in a week.

His original order, issued July 31, was overturned by Gov. Larry Hogan — who said private schools should make their own reopening decisions based on public health guidelines.

Half a dozen families of private school students also took issue with the directive and filed a lawsuit against Gayles.

A couple days later, Gayles rescinded his original order and issued a second one. That order also kept private schools online through Oct. 1.

On Friday, after the second directive was rescinded, county officials issued a statement that read: "The Health Officer continues to strongly advise schools against in-person learning due to the risks posed by COVID-19" and has asked the state to "provide articulable criteria to be used in determining acceptable and safe levels of activity in schools."

SEE ALSO:

• MD Counties Stripped Of Power To Order Blanket School Closures
• Gayles Issues New Private School Directive, Defies Hogan's Order