Baltimore County Executive Declares COVID-19 State Of Emergency

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Baltimore County has declared a state of emergency and ordered people to wear masks in indoor public spaces until Jan. 31, 2022. The county also said it will take steps in the days ahead to procure at-home COVID-19 test kits.

County Executive Johnny Olszewski, who last week tested positive for the coronavirus, declared a local state of emergency on Monday to expand Baltimore County's ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We’ve made undeniable progress in our fight against this deadly virus, but it is clear the omicron variant significantly challenges our efforts to combat the pandemic,” Olszewski said in a statement Monday.

With COVID-19 hospitalizations and coronavirus positivity rates increasing, Baltimore County needs to activate additional resources, the emergency declaration says.

The number of daily hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Baltimore County increased by 231 percent in one month — from 62 patients on Nov. 26 to 205 patients on Dec. 26 — according to the declaration.

Only 13 staffed ICU beds are available in Baltimore County, Olszewski reported Monday; he said 14 hospital beds were available in ICUs countywide one week ago.

Related:

• Baltimore County Hospitals Almost Full Due To COVID-19, Shortages
• Baltimore County Exec Tests Positive For COVID-19

As of Monday, the coronavirus positivity rate in Baltimore County is 18.65 percent, and tests are in short supply.

Using funding from the American Rescue Plan and using emergency procurement authority, Olszewski said he plans to make 100,000 rapid at-home test kits free to county residents.

He also directed the Baltimore County Department of Health to add a large-scale COVID-19 testing clinic to its options, and the county will announce next steps in the coming days, officials said.

The state of emergency will help the county do the following, according to Olszewski:

• Adopt emergency public health measures.
• Get supplies necessary to protect public health.
• Request more resources from the state and federal governments.

A new public health order will require all people ages 5 and up to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces in Baltimore County, effective 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, until Jan. 31, 2022.

“Government has an obligation to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our neighbors," Olszewski said. “As a result, Baltimore County must now take this additional action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, reduce the burden on our healthcare system, and save lives.”

Masks will be required in any indoor business, service, organization or establishment serving the general public, including but not limited to retail establishments, recreational establishments, houses of worship, and other locations open to the public.

Here are the exemptions, when people will not need to wear masks:

• While eating or drinking while seated at food service establishments. Masks are required when moving around inside restaurants or bars and not seated.
• If a face covering cannot be worn due to a medical or mental health condition or disability.
• When swimming or engaging in other physical activities.
• If wearing a face covering would subject the person to an unsafe working condition.
• While operating any public transportation conveyance, provided that the person is the sole operator of the conveyance, and is in a separate compartment that is off-limits to riders.
• If wearing a face covering would make it impossible to receive certain services, such as dental care, shaving and facial treatments.

Other large jurisdictions in Maryland — including Baltimore City, Howard County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County — are also requiring face coverings indoors, according to a statement from Baltimore County officials.

Most recently, Olszewski declared a local state of emergency in August during the delta variant spike earlier this year.

A County Council vote on whether to continue Baltimore County’s state of emergency beyond Jan. 3 is scheduled for that day at the County Council meeting.