 March 16, 2020
Dear Baltimoreans,
Today, I announced that the Maryland Department of Health has identified the second positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Baltimore City.
The case involves a female in her 20s. The Baltimore City Health Department is currently investigating the case.
Everyone in Baltimore City has to take seriously the need to practice social distancing, in addition to increased hand washing. This virus is not a joke and the quicker we have maximum participation from our residents, the better for everyone. We will continue to take aggressive measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, but we need the public's help.
Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa said that her agency's staff is working closely with the Maryland Department of Health and is actively investigating this case.
“I plead with all Baltimore City residents to implement social distancing measures in addition to personal protective measures to protect themselves and their loved ones," Dr. Dzirasa said.
Residents are advised to practice social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Baltimore City. Residents are asked to stay home if they are sick and to avoid crowds.
Per Governor Hogan’s enhanced Emergency Order, and updated CDC guidelines, mass gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited in an effort to enforce social distancing measures. This order will assist the City of Baltimore in maximizing its healthcare resources to protect vulnerable populations, like adults over the age of 60 and those with underlying comorbidities that place them at the highest risk for severe complications from COVID-19.
For more information on the COVID-19 virus, click here.
Sincerely,
Mayor Young
Mayor Young and Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael S. Harrison are reminding residents that starting today, at 5:00 p.m., all restaurants, bars, movie theaters and gyms will be closed to the public.
Restaurants may continue delivery and carryout services. Establishments are prohibited from gathering more than 50 people and are banned from dining-in. Drive-thru service at restaurants may continue.
“This is a global health emergency and I need everyone in Baltimore City to adjust to this new reality,” Mayor Young said. “Our residents need to stay at home.”
The Baltimore Police Department, along with the Baltimore City Health Department, the Baltimore City Fire Department and Board of Liquor License Commissioners will begin inspections and enforcement across Baltimore City tonight.
“The Baltimore Police Department is working in collaboration with the Social Club Task Force in supporting Governor Hogan's Executive Order,” Commissioner Harrison said. “We encourage residents to call 311 with any non-emergency related calls related to businesses or gatherings of crowds. We remain focused on keeping residents safe and will continue to work closely with our local partners to serve the residents to decrease the spread of COVID-19.”
If residents see a business operating in violation of the Governor’s Executive Order, they should report that to 311.
Please click the map for access to an interactive map showing the Baltimore City sites serving as food distribution hubs
Baltimore City is committed to serving and protecting its vulnerable populations during the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.
The City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will remain in operation 24-7 until further notice.
During this emergency, the City has created an interactive map to help residents find a grab-and-go food location. The sites are located at schools, recreation centers, and senior centers.
Children, older adults and other food insecure families are able to get meals at over 50 sites around Baltimore.
The map features pins displaying the following: recreation centers as blue pins, schools are yellow pins and senior centers are magenta pins.
school-aged children can pick up breakfast and lunch at 10 city schools distribution sites between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Students will also be able to pick up snacks beginning at 2:00 p.m. and can receive dinner starting at 5:00 p.m. at one of 40 recreation center sites. The dinner program will run through 7:00 p.m.
The City plans to increase the number of sites serving as food distribution hubs while schools are closed.
For access to an interactive map showing the Baltimore City sites serving as food distribution hubs, please click here.
Closures and Cancellations
Pratt Library to Close to the Public
The Enoch Pratt Free Library will close 22 locations to the public from March 14 to March 30. This is on the advice of health officials to promote social distancing. The health and well-being of customers and staff remains the top priority.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision because we know how many customers rely on our libraries,” says Pratt Library President and CEO Heidi Daniel. “We are working with the city to determine how our building could be utilized by emergency responders.”
The Pratt will continue to provide online resources to the public throughout this time. Telephone reference service will continue to be available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All renewals are waived and cards will remain active. If customers already have library books, they do not need to return them until the Pratt returns to normal business hours.
The Pratt Library will continue to work closely with the Mayor's Office and Baltimore City Health Department to reassess the situation in the coming weeks.
Baltimore City Public Schools to Close from March 16 to March 27, 2020
At the direction of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), all public schools in the state including Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) will close all campuses effective March 16, 2020 to March 27, 2020. All school building activities including school day instruction, child care, health services, enrichment, professional development, athletics and club sports, preschool are canceled during this time.
City Schools will also operate an emergency food service program at least eight sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, through Friday, March 20, 2020. Students will be able to receive grab-and-go free breakfast and lunch meals. The sites will be announced by Sunday, March 15, 2020 and will be listed on the Health Updates webpage. More information
City Orders Suspension of City-Operated Senior Center Buildings
Effective immediately, all discretionary activities are temporarily suspended for older adults, including all programming at the seven City-operated senior center buildings. These programs include all special events, class activities and vocational trips involving older adults. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease are at the highest risk for serious illness of COVID-19.
The City-operated senior centers will remain staffed to assist older adults and continue to provide meals, supplies, and information and referral services to those who need it. Planned activities involving mass gatherings, trips and classes will be suspended.
Starting Monday, March 16, 2020, the Baltimore City Health Department will provide boxed lunches at congregate meal sites to allow participants the choice to take their meals home to eat. If there are factors that prevent participants from picking up a meal, meals can be delivered as an option by calling the Maryland Access Point at 410-396-CARE (2273), for eligibility into the home-delivered meal program. More information
Maryland Courts Suspend Jury Trials Through April 3rd
All civil and criminal jury trials in the Circuit Courts throughout the state of Maryland scheduled to begin on March 16, 2020, through April 3, 2020, shall be suspended on an emergency basis pending further Order of the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
Speedy Trial
Maryland Rule 4-271 requires that the trial of a criminal defendant be held within 180 days after the earlier of the appearance of counsel or the first appearance of the defendant before the circuit court. In criminal matters with jury trials pending during the above time period, county administrative judges shall hold hearings as necessary to resolve Maryland Rule 4-271 issues in individual cases and to set a new trial date. More information
Baltimore City Department of Human Resources Releases Emergency Coronavirus Plan
This week, the Baltimore City Department of Human Resources released an emergency coronavirus plan outlining staffing strategies, tools, advice, and directives that City agencies should follow in the event of a coronavirus outbreak or other emergency in the city. The 32-page plan details steps that city agencies are required or advised to take to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak. More information
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