Council members in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Tuesday voted to increase the county’s indoor mask mandate by most of February, however delay a vote on a measure to require proof of vaccination to enter most companies.
Council members in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Tuesday voted to increase the county’s indoor mask mandate by most of February.
At the identical time, they delay a vote on a measure that might have required eating places, bars and health facilities to test customers’ COVID-19 vaccine playing cards earlier than they’re allowed to enter the premises.
Under the board of well being regulation unanimously authorized by the county council Tuesday, the mask mandate for indoor public locations is prolonged to Feb. 21. The mandate was in any other case set to run out subsequent week.
The new order additionally directs the nine-member Montgomery County Council to fulfill weekly because the board of well being to think about ending the mask mandate earlier if COVID-19 metrics enhance.
In specific, the regulation directs council members to think about the variety of instances per 100,000 residents prior to now seven days; the check positivity price, and the share of hospital beds occupied by COVID sufferers.
Acting Montgomery County Health Officer James Bridgers advised council members that modeling of COVID unfold within the county signifies the omicron variant, which has led to a surge of instances and hospitalizations, is anticipated to completely crest by mid-February.
A draft model of the extension of the mask mandate would have saved it in place by Feb. 28, however an modification from Council member Andrew Friedson, additionally unanimously adopted by the council, shortened the top date by every week.
On the matter of the vaccine requirement, the council has held two work classes and heard testimony from greater than two dozen county residents throughout two days of public hearings — practically all in opposition — earlier than Council President Gabe Albornoz mentioned the measure had didn’t garner sufficient help to maneuver ahead.
“The majority of my colleagues at this level usually are not ready to vote on this decision proper now,” Albornoz mentioned forward of additional public testimony Tuesday.
The measure was strongly supported by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who known as it a common sense measure to scale back the unfold of COVID and as a attainable solution to increase vaccinations in some classes.
However, enterprise teams pushed again on the measure, arguing it wouldn’t have a lot of an impression on vaccination since practically 85% of county residents are already totally vaccinated.
In one of many public hearings Tuesday, all 18 public audio system spoke in opposition to the measure, saying it will block unvaccinated individuals from collaborating in public life — together with kids beneath 5 — and will hurt small companies.
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Council member Craig Rice mentioned he was troubled by among the public testimony, however mentioned it indicated that “we’re at an deadlock at a spot the place those that have chosen to get vaccinated have chosen to take action. And the rest of our group who chooses not so usually are not going to be satisfied.”
He mentioned particular person members of the group ought to persuade neighbors, family and friends members who haven’t but gotten vaccinated.
“We’re not going to give you the chance, as authorities, to power anyone to do it or persuade them or coerce them,” Rice mentioned. “It’s as much as us as particular person members of our group and society to work with each other who we care about and love, to inform them about the advantages and hope they make the correct choice. That’s the place we’re.”
https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2022/01/montgomery-co-council-extends-mask-mandate-shelves-covid-19-vaccine-requirement-for-customers/
