NOTICE - AUGUST 20, 2020
SUMMARY OF CURRENT COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS
Below is a quick summary of current COVID-19 requirements from the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County. This is not a comprehensive list, but is meant to be used as a guide to help all College Park residents understand the requirements, how to report issues, and the enforcement of those requirements.
SOCIAL DISTANCING – GENERAL RULE
- Follow the most current guidance from CDC and Maryland Department of Health:
- Avoid large gatherings and crowded places.
- Stay at least six (6) feet (both indoors and outdoors) from those who are not in your immediate household.
FACE COVERINGS AND MASKS
- A face covering or mask must fully cover a person’s nose and mouth and be secured to the person’s head. This includes scarves, bandanas, and disposable and cloth coverings.
- Everyone in Maryland over the age of five (5) must wear a face covering when they are on public transportation. Governor’s Order 20-08-03-01, dated August 3, 2020. Link.
- Everyone in the County over the age of two (2) must wear a face covering when on the “The Bus”, the County transit system; indoors at public places (such as religious facilities, stores, restaurants, healthcare facilities, indoor recreation centers, fitness centers and salons); outdoors, when unable to consistently maintain at least six feet of distance from others; engaged in work where food is prepared/packaged; or interaction with others is likely. Prince George’s County Executive’s Order No. 15-2020, dated June 25, 2020. Link.
- There are some exceptions, like when actively eating or drinking or if communicating with someone who has a hearing impairment. Please read the County Executive’s Order and the County Health Officer Directive and Order for Enhanced Consumer and Employee Safety dated August 4, 2020 for the further information. Link.
- The County requires that retail and business establishments take all steps necessary to ensure that customers are compliant. Health Officer’s Directive and Order.
LIMIT ON GATHERINGS
- Prince George’s County restricts all gatherings to one person/family unit per 200 square feet of indoor square footage, or a maximum of 50 persons (whichever is lower) at all locations and venues--including private residences. This includes indoor and outdoor gatherings, unless exempted in the County Health Officer Directive and Order.
- Please check with your landlord or the listing for your property on the SDAT website for your property’s indoor square footage. The number to use is the square footage for the single-family home you live in, or for your individual unit only in multi-unit apartment buildings, divided by 200. For most single-family homes in College Park, this limits allowable gatherings to only 10-20 people, total, inside and/or outside.
STANDING IN LINE
- When queueing outside for entry to commercial establishments or other businesses, you must maintain six (6) foot social distancing unless with members of your immediate household. If you cannot do so, you must wear a mask.
REPORTING
- To report any potential infractions, including large gatherings:
- Please call the City’s Code Enforcement Hotline at 240-487-3588. The City will forward all COVID-19 related complaints to the County’s Department of Health.
- To report directly to the County, call 311 or email covidcompliance@co.pg.md.us.
- The County’s Department of Health oversees all COVID-19 related matters and will either investigate or contact local law enforcement if needed.
- Continue to call 9-1-1 to report any emergencies.
- COVID-19 related questions and concerns can be found here or by calling the County Health Hotline at 301-883-6627.
- The County has also set up a COVID related scam hotline (410-576-6300) and website.
ENFORCEMENT
- The State has declared that each law enforcement officer of the State shall execute and enforce the State’s Order and any local Order. A person who willfully violates the State’s or any Local Orders is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding $5,000. Governor’s Order.
- Prince George’s County directives and orders will be enforced by the County’s Health Department with the assistance of additional County agencies including law enforcement as needed. County Health Officer Directive and Order.
- The County will conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections through its Ambassador Program of retail and business establishments. Any retail and business establishment that does not comply with the County’s Directive and Order will be subject to a fine of $1,000 and if non-compliant during a subsequent inspection, the establishment will be subject to closure by the County.
- A person who knowingly and willfully violates the County’s Directive and Order is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding $5000 or both.
- Violations and fines based on City Code Chapter 141-1 may be issued by City Code Enforcement whenever the County Executive and Health Officer orders are violated.
- Repeated violations can result in the revocation of the City’s rental occupancy permit.
- University of Maryland students who are in violation will be referred to the University’s Office of Student Conduct for possible sanctions.
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About the City of College Park: Situated just minutes from the nation’s capital, the City of College Park is home to the University of Maryland, the world’s oldest continuously operating airport and a wide variety of shops, restaurants, attractions and recreational opportunities. The City is comprised of over 32,000 residents that reside in diverse settings from historic neighborhoods to luxury student housing complexes.
News and media outlets are encouraged to contact the Office of Communications at cpcommunications@collegeparkmd.gov regarding any inquiries or stories about the City of College Park.