COVID-19 Update: Prince George’s County Remains in Phase One of Reopening
Dear Prince Georgians:
With the Governor’s announcement on Wednesday, June 3 concerning a phase two reopening for the State of Maryland, I wanted to reach out to provide an update on our plans in Prince George’s County. After just beginning an incremental phase one this past Monday, Prince George’s County is not yet ready to move to phase two.
Our medical professionals need more time to track the data and ensure our trends continue to decline. We will rely on the science and data to determine when it is safe to move to phase two. However, the County’s metrics are trending in a positive direction and Prince George’s could potentially begin a modified phase two on June 15, 2020. The decision will be made in consultation with our Chief Health Officer who continues to monitor the County’s health data, including continued downward trends in the number of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations. We will be sure to provide an update to our community next week.
We have already shared information on our modified phase one reopening with the community, but we are including that information below as a reminder for our residents and businesses. I also want to remind everyone that, even during this modified phase one reopening, we must continue to take certain actions to keep ourselves and others safe. Please remember to wear a face covering, practice physical distancing (at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others) and wash your hands often with soap and water.
While COVID-19 has been on our minds for the past few months, over the past week I know many of you have been concerned, frustrated and angry about the death of George Floyd. Earlier this week, I sent out my statement on the death of George Floyd and the protests we are seeing across our nation. If you missed that statement, I encourage you to read it here.
After we sent out that statement, that very same afternoon, I was made aware of a video about an incident in Langley Park. Many of you may have seen this video of two Prince George’s County Police Officers trying to handcuff a Latino man, with one of the officers kicking the man as he was already on the ground. We took immediate action, suspending both of these officers, as well as their immediate supervisor. We are also referring these cases to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Some in our community have expressed concern that we should have done more and fired these officers, and I completely agree. However, there are State laws currently in place, through the Police Bill of Rights, that prevented us from taking further action. It is time that we revisit these laws so we are able to better hold our police officers accountable when they do wrong. I am committed to working on this issue with our State delegation and State leadership.
On Tuesday, June 2, we held a Day of Prayer in our County to pray for healing, justice and hope. I want to thank all of our faith leaders and all of our residents who joined our Day of Prayer. Then, on Wednesday, June 3, we held a virtual town hall on policing in Prince George’s County and America, along with special guest panelist Judge Greg Mathis. I want to thank all of our residents who tuned in and submitted their questions and concerns. We are committed to not just dialogue, but true actions on police reform in Prince George’s County.
We are already equipping all of our officers with body cameras, but we will not stop there. I have decided that we will create a police reform committee, which will be tasked with providing recommendations on legislation we can introduce at the local level. We will include a robust group of individuals and community activists on this committee, including our youth. We will provide further updates on this initiative as we finalize our plans.
I want you to know that, as your County Executive, I am committed to your health and safety. That includes safety from COVID-19 and safety from acts of abuse and violence from public safety officials who have sworn an oath to protect our community. Right now, there is a true crisis in our nation. However, in Prince George’s County, we are confronting these issues head on. We will not stop until COVID-19 has left our community and we can rebuild our County stronger than it has ever been before. We will not stop until every man, woman and child feels safe in our streets and in their homes.
Working together, we can build an even stronger Prince George’s County with opportunities, equality and justice for every Prince Georgian.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Modified Phase One Reopening Reminders
 On Monday, June 1, Prince George’s County began our modified phase one reopening. While the Stay-At-Home Order has been lifted, residents should continue to stay home as much as possible. Retail establishments are able to operate with curbside pickup only, restaurants may now offer outdoor dining in addition to take-out and delivery options, and salons and barbershops are able to provide hair services by appointment only with other restrictions in place. To learn more about what businesses can reopen during the modified phase one opening, please visit our website.
What is Contact Tracing?
 Contact tracing is a tool that health workers use to stop the spread of a disease. We are in the process of training new contact tracers to work with our Health Department to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. If you receive a call that appears on your caller ID as “MD COVID,” it is one of our contact tracers reaching out. Please answer and take this call seriously. The head of our contact tracing operations, Angela Crankfield-Edmond, has some important information on what you should expect if a contact tracer reaches out to you. Watch our video here.
Modified Bulky Trash Services Resume
 We are excited to announce that modified bulky trash services will be available for our residents. On Saturday, June 6, from 8:00 AM until noon, we will host a kick-off event for residents to bring their bulk trash items (up to eight) to one of nine drop-off locations throughout the County. Beginning Thursday, June 11, we will move to a modified bulk trash drop-off service. A number of drop-off sites will be available on a biweekly, rotating basis.
Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Acceptance Sites located within the Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill (BSRSL) in Upper Marlboro will return to regular service on June 11, and will be open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Residents may bring up to eight (8) bulky trash items for disposal at all modified drop-off locations. For a list of accepted items, frequently asked questions and a complete schedule of drop-off locations, visit environment.mypgc.us.
Please note, due to COVID-19 restrictions, County employees are not allowed to assist, handle, or touch any bulky trash items brought to the sites. Therefore, residents must be able to independently lift and place their items in the back of the packer truck for disposal and are encouraged to bring an extra person should they require assistance.
Curbside residential bulky trash will resume at a later date, and we will share that information with our community. Visit environment.mypgc.us for the complete schedule of drop-off locations and for more information.
Restaurant Concierge Portal for Outdoor Seating Permits
 Prince George’s County has established a process geared to helping qualified restaurants resume limited dining operations as part of the modified phase one reopening. The Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement has been charged with implementing a Restaurant Temporary Outdoor Seating Area (RTOSA) Permit, effective June 1, 2020, to allow restaurants to serve customers in permitted outdoor seating areas.
The permit requires seating to be spaced at least six feet apart. Restrooms must be available. Restaurants must be in compliance with ADA and applicable County, State and International codes. Restaurants with a current Use and Occupancy Permit (U&O) may apply. Those with U&Os that allow outdoor seating areas may implement outdoor dining utilizing appropriate mandated social distancing requirements without the RTOSA Permit.
For more information and to complete an application, please click here.
Weekly Produce Distributions
 Brighter Bites and Coastal Sunbelt Produce are hosting weekly produce distributions every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from May 16 to June 30. Locations and times for Prince George's County are noted in the graphic above. For more information, please visit the Brighter Bites website.
Reminder: COVID-19 Testing
 COVID-19 testing is available to County residents through our Health Department by appointment only. This test is free for all residents, regardless of insurance coverage. If you are feeling unwell and believe you may need a COVID-19 test, please call our COVID-19 hotline at 301-883-6627 for screening. Additionally, CVS Pharmacy is now offering COVID-19 testing at six locations throughout Prince George’s County. Please visit our website for more information on COVID-19 testing.
June is Flood Awareness Month
 It’s Flood Awareness Month in Prince George’s County, and the Department of the Environment is sharing flood prevention tips and information to help County residents and business owners protect their homes, buildings, and personal belongings if flooding occurs. Our “Be FloodSmart” poster provides information on what causes flooding, how to prevent local flooding, and how to protect homes and businesses in the case of a flood. Visit our website for more information on flood management strategies.
Virtual Youth Speaks Forum
 We are calling all youth! Join us for a creative community event facilitated by youth and for youth to have a voice in exploring community-centric topics, issues, and challenges we are facing today. This forum will focus on topics including community policing and mental health. The virtual forum will be held Saturday, June 13 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Please register to attend here.
Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Celebrates Pride Month
 The Prince George's County Memorial Library System has a wide range of resources and online programs for students to stay connected throughout the summer, including Summer @ Your Library, the Support Suite, and Online Resources. June marks LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the Library is celebrating with virtual programs for all ages throughout the month and a virtual community pride quilt project. All Prince Georgians are invited to submit photos and videos representing "what pride means to you" to the Library via email by June 19 (pr@pgcmls.info). A selection of submissions will be compiled and shared on social media in June.
Enroll in Health Insurance Coverage by June 15
 Prince George’s County Health Connect reminds uninsured residents that they have until June 15 to enroll in coverage through the State’s health insurance marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, under the Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period. For information about health insurance, call Prince George’s County Health Connect at 301-927-4500 or visit the website.
Team Takeover Donates $75,000 to Prince Georgians in Need
 Team Takeover donated $75,000 to Prince George's County to help address food insecurity during this pandemic. We appreciate the generosity of Coach Keith Stevens and Team Takeover alumni such as "Swift" Jarrett Hurd, Victor Oladipo, Jerami Grant, and Jerian Grant. Prince Georgians know who we are, and we continue to provide for those in need during these difficult times. Thank you, Team Takeover! Watch our video here about this wonderful contribution.
IKEA Provides Large Donation of Household Items for Residents
 We want to thank IKEA in College Park for donating a number of household items to support Prince Georgians in need during this pandemic. Store manager Sanjay Kumar coordinated the large donation with our Office of Community Relations. Through the strength of our community, we will get through this crisis together. Watch our video about this donation here.
Commission for Women Encourages Residents to Complete the Census
 The Prince George’s County Commission for Women encourages all residents to complete their Census today! Watch their video with information about the 2020 Census. You can complete your Census online at my2020Census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.
Mental Health Webinar for Our Latino Community/Sesión Informativa sobre Salud Mental para Nuestra Comunidad Latina
Reopening Reminders
Do Not Wait to Seek Medical Attention
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