ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced today that masks will be required in all County buildings beginning Saturday, August 14, 2021. All employees and the public are required to wear masks upon entry and throughout common areas, including elevators, stairwells, and/or meetings with other employees or visitors. Howard County currently has a positivity rate of 2.28%, the lowest in the state, and a 7-day average daily case rate of 8.9 per 100,000 residents. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that the COVID-19 community transmission in Howard County has reached the “Substantial” level.
Howard County’s increasing case rates are concerning, and it is important for residents to be aware of the current risks, especially if they are still unvaccinated. Masks continue to be an effective tool in reducing the spread of COVID-19, and we want to ensure our employees and public visitors are safe when in our buildings. Let’s continue to look out for one another, especially those 11 years old and younger who are not yet eligible to receive vaccines, and if you haven’t already and are able – please get vaccinated.
Howard County also leads the state in vaccination progress, with 68.6% of all residents fully vaccinated and 81% of 12+ residents fully vaccinated. Vaccine clinics are operating daily, to find a location nearby, please visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov.
Requiring masks is a necessary precaution to keep our employees and public safe. Our County employees have worked hard to make our buildings safe and accessible to our residents and businesses who need to access services in person.