Council Approves $36.5 Million in COVID-19 Emergency Aid

| at 1:00 pm | Categories Montgomery County

The County Council yesterday approved a package of measures to provide $36.5 million in financial assistance to businesses and other organizations affected by the COVID-19 emergency. The largest amount, $20 million, will fund a Public Health Emergency Grant Program that would allow the county executive to provide grants of up to $75,000 to county businesses and nonprofits with 100 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees that can demonstrate financial losses caused by the public health emergency.

County, State Police Announce Policies for Enforcement of Stay-at-Home Order

| at 9:20 am | Categories Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Department of Police and the state police yesterday announced policies and procedures the departments would follow while enforcing Gov. Larry Hogan’s Monday stay-at-home order. Neither department’s officers will make random stops to ask whether drivers are in compliance with the order to undertake only essential travel.

Governor Issues Stay-at-Home Order During COVID-19 Emergency

| at 12:01 pm | Categories Montgomery County

Gov. Larry Hogan has issued an executive order directing Marylanders to remain in their homes during the COVID-19 emergency, effective at 8 p.m. tonight, March 30. “I have signed an executive order which institutes a stay-at-home directive,” the governor announced during a press conference this morning. “No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job, or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food, or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention, or for other necessary purposes.”

COVID–19 Closures Extended for Schools, Public Facilities

| at 10:37 am | Categories Montgomery County

Gov. Larry Hogan extended the closure of public schools due to the COVID-19 emergency, and Montgomery County Public Schools began distributing laptops to students needing them for distance learning. The closures are in effect until at least April 24 and all extracurricular programs, athletic programs are cancelled.

Council Introduces COVID-19 Help for Small Businesses, Nonprofits

| at 10:32 am | Categories Montgomery County

The County Council yesterday introduced emergency legislation and special appropriations to assist small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 emergency. The actions would allow the county executive to provide grants of up to $75,000 to organizations “with 100 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees that can demonstrate financial losses caused by the public health emergency.”

DOT Creates No Parking Zones to Facilitate Takeout Pick Ups

| at 11:18 am | Categories Montgomery County

The county’s Department of Transportation has designated six temporary “No Parking” zones in downtown Silver Spring to make curbside pickup of takeout orders easier for local residents. In addition, the county has temporarily established free parking for residents in the Bonifant/Dixon garage at 1101 Bonifant St.

COVID-19 Closures, Other Changes Now in Effect in County

| at 10:13 am | Categories Montgomery County

Update: The state Department of Health now confirms 15 cases in Montgomery County.
Most county facilities are now closed to the public, and other changes are either in effect or expected in an effort to combat COVID-19. As of Sunday afternoon, there were 12 confirmed cases of the disease, according to information from the state, county officials announced yesterday.