COVID-19 Update: Prince George’s County Implements Updated Phase 2 Guidelines in Response to Rising COVID-19 Cases
Dear Prince Georgians:
Yesterday I announced that the County will implement updated phase 2 guidelines for businesses and large gatherings in response to recent increases in key COVID-19 metrics. This decision was made under the advice of County health officials after analyzing COVID-19 data and trends over the past few weeks.
Starting Sunday, November 15 at 5:00 PM, many indoor public businesses or establishments must reduce capacity limits to a maximum of 25% capacity with all safety guidelines in place. This includes fitness centers, bowling alleys, and houses of worship, among other establishments. Restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity indoors and 50% capacity outdoors, with social distancing and all other safety guidelines in place. Essential businesses (grocery stores, specialty food stores, big box stores) and retail stores may operate at 50% capacity, with social distancing and all other safety guidelines in place.
In addition, large gatherings indoors are limited to one person per 200 square feet or a maximum of 10 persons, whichever is lower. Outdoor gatherings are limited to one person per 200 square feet or a maximum of 25 persons, whichever is lower, unless otherwise specified in the Health Order. Finally, face coverings are now required outdoors in Prince George’s County. When you leave your home, please cover your face. Face coverings are still required for all indoor public locations and on public transportation. For a complete list of updated guidelines, please visit our reopening webpage.
I want you to know that this decision was not made lightly or arbitrarily, and these new guidelines were developed based on data from contact tracing and in response to continued increases in key COVID-19 metrics. Our positivity rate is now above the 5% threshold, sitting at 6.4% for last week. Our infection rate is sitting at 1.15 as of November 3, which places the County in the “high risk” category.
In addition, last week we saw the highest number of new cases in one week since the end of May, with 1,309 new COVID-19 cases for the week of November 1. Our average daily case rate for last week was 20.6 new cases per day per 100,000 residents, which places the County in the “high risk” category. The average daily case rate for the County has almost doubled since the first week of October.
Data that our health officials have obtained from contact tracing show that some of the highest risk activities for the spread of COVID-19 transmission include family gatherings, indoor dining, gyms and bowling alleys. The updated guidelines are a targeted response to this data to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Prince George’s County.
Many of our businesses have done a tremendous job of following safety guidelines to keep residents and employees safe, and we want to thank them for doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19. However, we also know that some businesses have grown lax in their enforcement. For any residents who see a business that is not following our COVID-19 safety guidelines, please call 311 or email covidcompliance@co.pg.md.us. Our COVID-19 Ambassador Compliance Team will investigate these businesses to ensure they are enforcing all safety protocols, and we will take appropriate action as necessary.
While we are stepping up enforcement of our COVID-19 orders, we are also providing new resources to businesses and residents. I am proud to announce that our Economic Development Corporation is now accepting applications for our $6 million Restaurant Resiliency Fund. This program will provide grants up to $25,000 to County-based restaurants and food service establishments. These grants can be used for COVID-related expenses such as purchasing PPE, winterization for outdoor seating, interior improvements for social distancing, and more. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Restaurants can apply online here.
In addition, Employ Prince George’s is launching the COVID-19 Rapid Re-Employment Grant program. Businesses that hire Prince George’s County residents before December 15 will qualify for grants up to $15,000 per new employee hired. Grants will supplement 50% to 90% of an employee’s salary during an agreed upon period. Businesses are eligible for up to $50,000 in grants for this program. Businesses can apply for this program here.
Finally, Employ Prince George’s is expanding the COVID-19 Hourly Employee Relief Fund. Since July, Employ Prince George’s has raised over $700,000 and distributed over $380,000 to residents who have lost their jobs in the form of $200 visa cash cards. Employ Prince George’s is now allowing previous applicants to reapply if they remain unemployed and is increasing the visa cash card amount to $300. Residents can apply online here.
I want to thank Prince Georgians for taking COVID-19 precautions seriously. This pandemic is still very much a part of our community. With the increase in cases and the holidays approaching, it is critical that we continue to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. That includes wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing, washing your hands often with soap and water, exercising restraint, and avoiding crowds.
I know all of you are tired of this pandemic. I’m tired, too. We have COVID fatigue, but we cannot afford to let our guard down at this critical time. As bad as this pandemic was in the spring and early summer, we believe it could get even worse this winter. We must fight through our COVID fatigue to take these new precautions seriously.
When I am feeling the worst COVID fatigue, I remember that by following all safety guidelines, I am helping to save my friends, my family members, and all of you. The new guidelines we’ve announced will help us keep this pandemic at bay. When we choose to take the advice of our public health experts seriously, we all choose to save lives.
Even though we’re weary now, there is hope. Earlier this week we got very promising news on a potential vaccine. Pfizer has shown that their vaccine is over 90% effective against COVID-19. Once that vaccine is proven to be safe, we will work with the federal government and the State to distribute it and put this pandemic behind us.
Please continue to be safe. I know that if we all continue to do our part, we will get through this pandemic together.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Stand Up & Deliver
 We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on next week’s distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program.
Friday, November 20 at 12:30 PM (Groceries)
- St. Paul Church – 6419 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD
- Beltsville Seventh-Day Adventist Church – 4220 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD
- Ebenezer A.M.E. Church – 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, MD
- First Baptist Church of District Heights – 7234 Lansdale Street, District Heights, MD
- Victory Grace Center/Port Towns Elementary School – 4351 58th Avenue, Bladensburg, MD
Saturday, November 21 at 10:30 AM (Groceries)
- Ebenezer Church of God – 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills, MD
Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.
Community Partnership Grant Program
 The County Executive’s Office is now accepting applications for the FY 2021 Community Partnership Grant (CPG) program. Approximately $1.6 million in funding is available to eligible non-profits. Local non-profit organizations that provide community-based program initiatives to support residents and communities in the County are encouraged to apply.
Any organization, institution or association that is incorporated as a private, non-profit organization designated under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and has been operating for at least 2 years as of the application deadline, that provides services or activities in Prince George’s County, and that can supply sufficient documentation their organization is currently in “good standing” from the State where the organization was incorporated (i.e., the State of Maryland, District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Virginia), is eligible to apply.
The deadline to submit an application is Monday, November 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications are only being accepted via email. Completed applications should be emailed to PGCNonprofits@co.pg.md.us. Organizations can only submit one application for one program per fiscal year. To learn more about the CPG program and access the application, visit the CPG website.
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