MD Coronavirus: Baltimore County Freezes Non-Essential Hiring

TOWSON, MD — Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced an immediate countywide hiring freeze on Thursday, April 9 due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

The pause on hiring is meant for non-essential workers and does not include frontline workers like firefighters, paramedics, police officers, 911 staff, public health workers and others directly responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We are in uncharted territory." Olszewski said in a statement. "While we do not know the full economic impact of this crisis, Baltimore County must take immediate and aggressive actions.”

Blatimore County currently estimates their revenue will go down by tens of millions of dollars in 2021 because of the pandemic and is set to release the 2021 budget on Tuesday.

“This is not an easy decision, but a fiscally responsible one," Olszewski said. "We will continue to prioritize our employees while continuing to provide essential government services for our residents.”