 In his weekly message, County Executive Marc Elrich addresses why he has implemented tighter restrictions on restaurants and businesses in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19. He also relates the importance of the County’s Draft Climate Action Plan that was released this week. And as the holidays approaches, he asks residents to share photos of their favorite winter decorations—and to stay safe in celebrations that will be much different than other years.
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has issued new Executive Order 139-20AM2 that tightens safety restrictions as the County tries to get better control of the spreading COVID-19 virus. The new order, which was approved unanimously by the County Council, suspends indoor dining, reduces indoor sports gatherings to no more than 10 people and reduces the maximum capacity of retail establishments. The new restrictions went into effect on Tuesday.
 Montgomery County Government will have numerous schedule changes for the Christmas holiday on Friday, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Friday Jan 1, 2021
 Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has released the Draft Climate Action Plan for public review. The Climate Action Plan is the County’s strategic plan to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035.
Montgomery County will move another step closer toward meeting the ambitious goal of eliminating greenhouse emissions by 2035 with an innovative partnership that will provide reliable clean energy for low-to-moderate income households and County Government. In the partnership, Ameresco, an energy efficiency and renewable energy company, will build three solar arrays on approximately 16 acres of underutilized County-owned land at the former Oaks Landfill in Gaithersburg.
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Montgomery County’s Martin Luther King Jr. Swim Center has reopened with a new and improved look. The updated facility, located at 1201 Jackson Rd. in Silver Spring, has been a long-standing favorite spot for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
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A lot of electronic items are being purchased as gifts during the holiday season. That means that many older or no longer usable electronics will be on their way out. However, when their lifespan is over, those electronic items should not be thrown out. Montgomery County makes it easy for residents and businesses to recycle them.
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 COVID-19 Deaths by Zip Code, Montgomery County, MD
Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The statistics are regularly updated to reflect the most recent reports during the health crisis.
 There are numerous ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Montgomery County. The County operates dozens of clinics most weeks and rotates the locations to make testing easily accessible for residents in all parts of the County. In addition, there are many privately operating testing programs.
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) has launched "Internet to Go," a mobile hotspot lending program for the public. MCPL has a collection of 250 Verizon MiFi Mobile hotspots that will be available at all MCPL locations currently providing public service.
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 In a year dominated by the COVID-19 virus, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich wants the sharing of spirit and joy to be celebrated together. He is inviting residents to submit photos of winter and holiday decorations that will then be displayed on the County’s website so all can see them.
The Montgomery County Office of Procurement hosted a Virtual Procurement Fair on Dec. 9 at which representatives from more than 10 County departments shared best practices and general advice for contractors who may want to obtain future County contracts. The fair addressed some of the upcoming solicitations the County will be offering. Hundreds of local vendors participated in the virtual fair, asking questions and offering suggestions.
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QIAGEN North American Holdings, the American division of the global life sciences company that is a leader in providing molecular sample and assay technologies, is expanding its United States headquarters and research and development manufacturing facility in Germantown. It also will be leasing additional space in the area.
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