 Dear Friends:
This pandemic is changing life for us in many ways. I hope each of you is taking time to take care of yourself and the people around you. This is hard – I know it and we all know it.
We are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating the information and data we receive. We are also in regular communication with residents, businesses and other organizations about the obstacles they are encountering and how we can be helpful while also prioritizing the public health of our community. This week I issued a new executive order expanding and clarifying measures allowed under Phase 2 guidelines– the details are below. And in my video I talk about testing – check it out.
For those of you who ordered a mail-in ballot, some will start arriving as soon as next week. When you fill out your mail-in ballot, please be sure to sign the return envelope. Do NOT sign the ballot itself – it will not be counted if you do that. If you’re nervous about putting your ballot in the mail, there are drop boxes around the County. Some are already in place; others will be going up through out the month of October. Find more information about drop boxes here.
Also, I wanted to remind you that in the public interest of this county, please vote FOR Question A, AGAINST Question B, FOR Question C and AGAINST Question D. These positions are supported by me and the County Council. Here’s a link to the sample ballot.
Take care,
Marc Elrich,
County Executive
P.S. Yesterday, I joined Governor Larry Hogan to visit Novavax, one of the many companies that make Montgomery County the vaccine capital. We have some brilliant minds working here in our County!
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, after consultation with County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles, has issued an updated executive order that clarifies provisions of the Phase 2 Guidelines related to the COVID-19 health crisis. These amendments went into effect on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Updated executive order:
- Explicitly caps indoor food service at 50 percent;
- Changes gathering size calculations and spacing, screening, and cleaning requirements for religious facilities;
- Modifies the definition of face covering to remove plastic full face shields; and
- Includes a face covering exception for children under 18 while playing sports.
Officials are continually reviewing designations and adjusting guidance based on data and science
 Voting by mail can make things easier, and safer. Read more about what you need to know to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election.
 More than 45 sites are available for residents to get free COVID-19 testing, including County-operated and privately operated clinics. Testing at County clinics is free, does not require a doctor’s referral and is available by making advance appointments or on a walk-up basis. Reservations can be made online.
The schedule for upcoming County-operated test clinics:
- Friday, Sept. 25. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Blvd., Germantown.
- Friday, Sept. 25. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer, Recreation Department Administration Building, 4010 Randolph Rd., Silver Spring.
- Monday, Sept. 28. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
- Monday, Sept. 28. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Blvd., Germantown.
- Monday, Sept. 28. 1-7 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring.
- Tuesday, Sept. 29. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center. 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring.
- Tuesday, Sept. 29. 8-11 a.m. Germantown outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Blvd., Germantown.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center, 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Outdoor drive-up clinic--walk-ups welcome. CDC Mobile Trailer, Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg (parking lot near food court entrance, directly in front of Ride On transfer station).
- Thursday, Oct. 1. 8-11 a.m., Germantown outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Blvd., Germantown.
- Thursday, Oct. 1. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center. 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring.
- Thursday, Oct. 1. 1-7 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring.
- Friday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Germantown outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Blvd., Germantown.
- October 2. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., CDC Mobile Testing Trailer, Recreation Department Administration Building, 4010 Randolph Road., Silver Spring.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich wants to hear what your priorities are for the Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget and the Capital Improvements Program Budget. County residents are invited to participate in virtual forums hosted via Microsoft Teams.
Montgomery County and nonprofit Main Street Connect have announced a joint initiative that will offer low-income and special needs residents of the newly opened Main Street Apartments in Rockville access to free, high-speed home internet service.
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The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame. Nominations should be individuals – either living or deceased – whose ongoing work, service and contributions have positively impacted human and civil rights in the County. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, Oct. 15.
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 The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, invites residents to participate in the kickoff meeting for “Corridor Forward: The I-270 Transit Plan” through an online meeting from noon-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. RSVPs are required.
 Every week is Recycling Week in Montgomery County. We are recycling and will continue to recycle everything that we ask residents and businesses to recycle.
 It is time for those 50 years and older to celebrate an active lifestyle with a dynamic week of virtual programs and activities. Active Aging Week takes place Oct. 5-11, as part of a national initiative promoting healthy lifestyles.
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