April 16, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County provided guidance to essential businesses on required face coverings for employees, based on Governor Hogan’s Executive Order yesterday. Effective Saturday, April 18th, at 7:00 a.m., all retail establishments and food service staff must wear face coverings in areas open to the public and other staff members, and when interacting with customers.
“Many essential businesses have already taken proactive steps to keep workers and customers safe, but we need everyone following best practices to slow the spread and save lives,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. ““This Executive Order applies to all Marylanders and should not be taken lightly - your collective actions are critical in keeping others safe."
Additionally, all retail establishments must:
- Ensure 6 feet between customers in any queue line, designated by tape or signage.
- Sanitize, or allow customers to sanitize, cart and basket handles.
- Provide staff and customers with clean restrooms, stocked with sanitizer or soap.
- Post signage in any entrance advising customers about face covering requirements.
Homemade face coverings, like a bandana, scarf, t-shift, or cloth mask may be worn. Information and tutorials on how to make your own mask can be found online here.
BGE
BGE is extending its moratorium on service disconnections for nonpayment and is waiving new late payment fees through at least June 1, 2020—one month beyond the original moratorium announced on March 13—as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an unprecedented impact on central Maryland. As officials across the country, including Maryland, have enacted stay-at-home or similar orders to ensure public safety, BGE recognizes many customers need to work from home and participate in online learning, making safe and reliable electricity even more critical than usual. Customers whose electric service was disconnected prior to the moratorium should contact BGE to have service restored to help ensure access to safe and healthy environments.
Businesses and residents who have had their electric service disconnected should contact BGE at 800-685-0123 to begin the reconnection process. As part of this process, BGE customer care representatives will work with customers to help identify assistance programs that can supplement bill payment and can help ensure service remains on after this pandemic. BGE is committed to the safety of its customers, employees, and contractors.
The Howard County COVID-19 Dashboard and webpage are updated daily with confirmed cases, local and state resources, and closure updates.