Prohibiting Large Gatherings and Events, Closing Places of Assembly and Social Distancing Rules
Whereas, A state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency was proclaimed on March 5, 2020 by the Governor of the State of Maryland;
Whereas, On March 13, 2020, a state of emergency was declared by County Executive John A. Olszewski, Jr., to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within Baltimore County, Maryland (“the County”), and the state of emergency still exists;
Whereas, COVID-19, an infectious and contagious respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death, is a public health catastrophe and has been confirmed in the County, therefore the County may take such action as is necessary to maintain health and control and prevent the spread of any contagious or infectious diseases within the jurisdiction;
Whereas, To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health recommend canceling large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings;
Whereas, The currently known and available scientific evidence and best practices support limitations on large gatherings and the use of social distancing to prevent exposure and transmissions, and reduce the transmission to especially vulnerable populations, including older individuals and those with chronic health conditions;
Whereas, Pursuant to Baltimore County Code, §3-1-504, the County Executive hereby has all authority listed therein to control the spread of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, the right to control traffic, including public and private transportation, designate zones in which the occupancy and use of buildings and vehicles may be controlled; establish requirements to shelter in place, control individuals on public streets, and control places of amusement and places of assembly;
Whereas, Nothing herein shall be construed to limit or conflict with any order or authority of the local Health Officer;
Whereas, To reduce the threat to human health caused by the transmission of COVID-19 in the County, and to protect and save lives, it is necessary and reasonable that individuals in the County refrain from congregating in a manner that may exacerbate the spread of COVID-19, such as, but not limited to, a physical environment in which large numbers of people are in close proximity and have multiple opportunities for close contact with one another that facilitates the spread of COVID-19;
Whereas, In order to protect the public health, welfare, and safety, prevent the transmission of novel coronavirus, control the spread of COVID-19, and save lives it is necessary to control and direct the movement of individuals in the County, including those on the public streets; and
Whereas, It is necessary to control and direct in the County the occupancy and use of buildings and premises, as well as places of amusement and assembly;
Now, therefore, I, John A. Olszewski, Jr., County Executive of Baltimore County, Maryland by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 3-1-504 of the Baltimore County Code, and in an effort to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within Baltimore County, Maryland, do hereby order:
Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, sporting gatherings and events (“large gatherings and events”) of 50 people or more are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to, parades, festivals, concerts, conventions, entertainment venues and fundraisers.
The local Health Officer is authorized further to adopt rules/regulations, as needed, to prohibit other social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure and sporting gatherings, including but not limited to those containing less than 50 people, at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, concerts, conventions, entertainment venues and fundraisers, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health and safety.
Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after termination of the state of emergency and the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded. Should other social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure and sporting gatherings, including but not limited to those containing less than 50 people, become prohibited in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health and safety, such gatherings and events will also need to be canceled or postponed until after termination of the state of emergency and the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded.
A copy of this Executive Order shall be made available online for the public.
Each law enforcement officer of the County shall execute and enforce this Executive Order.
This Order remains effective until after the termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded, or until rescinded, superseded, amended, or revised by additional orders.
The effect of any local statute, rule, or regulation of an agency/department of the County inconsistent with this Executive Order is hereby suspended.