May 28,,2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – As Howard County continues to follow HoCo RISE framework for reopening, personnel of a recently reopened business are eligible for essential child care. Recently reopened businesses in Howard County include retail, manufacturing, restaurants, and barber and hair salons.
“As more residents are able to return to work, we are working with the State to prepare Howard County child care providers,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “Our Office of Children and Families has an excellent resource for families to find available providers, which is updated daily as more become approved. As reopening continues across Maryland, it’s critical that we ensure families have access to safe and effective child care.”
Any personnel who must return to reopened businesses and need child care are able to get it through the Essential Personnel Child Care (EPCC) sites. These are child care providers that have been approved by the state to be open and taking care of children whose parents are deemed essential.
Howard County’s Office of Children and Families (OCF) is prepared to support child care providers as they reopen, as well as assist parents in finding child care. There are more than 170 approved EPCC programs in Howard County. The Office of Children and Families will update daily their directory of available providers as more become approved. If you need assistance navigating eligibility, registration or placement, please contact OCF by calling 410-313-2273 or email children@howardcountymd.gov.
Reopening Friday, May 29th
At 7:00 a.m.:
• Retailers in Howard County may open at 50% of maximum capacity. Retailers are encouraged to use curbside pick-up whenever possible.
• Barbers and hair salons may open at 50% of maximum occupancy including staff. Businesses must continue to operate by appointment only. Staff and clients must wear masks. Maximum occupancy regarding barber shops and hair salons is calculated by the total square footage of the establishment divided by 100.
• Religious institutions may hold outdoor services of up to 250 people, as long as all participants can maintain appropriate physical distancing of 6 feet. Indoor services are still limited to a maximum of 10 people.
At 5:00 p.m.:
• Restaurants and bars in Howard County may reopen to customers for outdoor seating only. Restaurants may still use curbside pick-up and delivery. Restaurants and bars that do not currently have outdoor seating will receive information on an expedited process in the coming days to facilitate outdoor seating.
• Food consumption restrictions will be lifted for faith institutions.
Alpha Ridge Landfill Updates
Beginning Saturday, May 30th, the 10-vehicle restriction at the landfill is being lifted. Residents are encouraged to practice social distancing and wear a mask. Alpha Ridge Landfill remains open with normal operating hours (Mon-Sat, 8am-4pm) but should only be used by residents who do not have curbside collection service or who cannot wait until the County’s State of Emergency is lifted. Non-essential visits from residents violate the State of Emergency declaration and strain the reduced staff levels and available resources. For additional information on the landfill, please click here.
Building Blocks for Reopening Progress
Last night, the Howard County Health Department (HCHD) received a delivery of 14 pallets of PPE from the Maryland Department of Health. The shipment included:
• 80,000 kn95 masks
• 20,000 n95 masks
• 41,000 gloves
• 15,100 gowns
The County currently has enough PPE to provide for nursing homes and county agencies for 30 days and continues to evaluate our PPE goal based upon several factors, including a number of COVID patients and anticipated length of stay. Additionally, according to the Maryland Department of Health, Howard County’s seven day rolling average of positive tests is 8.6%, as of May 27th.