Dr. James Bridgers, the county’s acting health officer, told the County Council on Saturday that the county had returned to “substantial transmission” of COVID-19, triggering the requirement to reinstate an indoor mask mandate under the latest Board of Health regulation.
However, on Sunday, the council announced that it would seek to amend the regulation on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
The current regulation called for the mandate to resume if the transmission rate returned anytime after the mandate was lifted, which happened on Oct. 28 after the county had achieved “moderate” transmission—fewer than 50 new cases per 100,000 population—for seven straight days.
The council, sitting as the Board of Health, announced its intention to amend the regulation to require substantial transmission for seven days before reinstating the mark mandate.
If the council doesn’t amend the regulation, the mandate is scheduled to return at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3.
“A seven-day period provides a more accurate picture of public health trends related to the virus and eliminates quick swings back and forth on indoor masking requirements,” according to a press release.
The amended Board of Health regulation will be introduced at 9:40 a.m. and the public hearing and vote is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., the release added.
The deadline to sign up to testify via Zoom online for the virtual public hearing is Monday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.
MCDHHS graphic
🆕 The County has regressed to Substantial Transmission of #COVID19. Board of Health regulation cites resumption of Indoor Mask Mandate starting at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 3 unless the board acts to amend the regulation. Read the release for more info. ➡️📰 https://t.co/ksFD049Wij pic.twitter.com/LJgK8XAgNJ
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) October 30, 2021