For Immediate Release: Friday, April 10, 2020
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 10, 2020—The Montgomery County Council will no longer introduce a Board of Health Regulation requiring face coverings. The regulation was scheduled to be introduced at the Council’s virtual meeting on April 14. Councilmember Hans Riemer and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz who were the lead sponsors of the regulation issued the following statement.
A week ago we began working on a County Council emergency Board of Health regulation to protect essential employees and tamp down on community transmission of COVID-19 by requiring customers to wear facial coverings when shopping. Since we first proposed the idea, major jurisdictions around the country have adopted a similar regulation, including Washington, DC. We welcome County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayle's new emergency health order requiring shoppers to wear facial coverings, as well as related protections for retail workers. The new order takes effect April 13, more quickly than ours could through the legislative process. In light of this we will withdraw our proposed health regulation and monitor the progress and success of the Health Officer's approach.
Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles issued a health order that will take effect on Monday, April 13 requiring all shoppers to wear a face covering while shopping at grocery stores, pharmacies, farmer’s markets and big box retailers. The order is aimed at protecting shoppers and employees from the spread of COVID-19. A face covering can be a homemade cloth mask, a scarf or bandana or other means of snugly covering the mouth and nose.
View the County health order .
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Release ID: 20-147