Back To Life…With Caution
Full Phase II Reopen Comes To Prince George’s
As most of the nation experience surges in the spread of COVID-19, Prince George’s County health officials led by the Alsobrooks Administration say the county is poised to move into full phase two of the state’s plan to re-open June 29.
Although most county facilities and social destinations will enjoy some form of operations, such as outdoor pools, personal care centers and malls, other locations will remain closed for now. They include theaters, tattoo parlors, bars and clubs and senior centers.
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Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
“We remain cautiously optimistic as we move forward with our phased reopening and recovery of Prince George’s County,” Alsobrooks said in the press release. “I am encouraged by the progress that we have made together as a community to slow the spread of this virus.”
Full Phase Two Reopenings
The County’s full phase two reopening will include the following:
Retail
Retail stores will be able to expand in-store capacity, with continued safeguards in place. 1 person per 100 square feet will be allowed in-store, not to exceed 50% percent capacity. Stores must enforce physical distancing, employees must use appropriate PPE and physical distancing markers must be present, among other safeguards.
Shopping Malls
Shopping malls may reopen up to 50% capacity, with the same safeguards and safety protocols in place as retail stores.
Recreational Establishments
Some recreational establishments may now reopen at 50% capacity, with CDC guidelines and other requirements in place. These include:
Casinos
Bingo halls
Bowling alleys
Pool halls
Indoor skating rinks
Miniature golf
Amusement parks may reopen at 40% capacity.
Personal Services
All personal services are now able to reopen. Barbershops and beauty salons will still only be able to serve customers by appointment, and service is limited to 50% capacity.
In addition, tattoo parlors, massage parlors, and spas are now able to reopen by appointment only. Capacity is limited to 1 person per 200 square feet, up to 50% of maximum capacity. Businesses must maintain physical distancing, employees must wear appropriate PPE and all employees must be trained on CDC COVID-19 guidance, among other safety guidelines.
Houses of Worship
Houses of worship may expand indoor services to 50% capacity, with safeguards in place such as maintaining physical distancing, avoiding physical contact, and frequently cleaning high-contact surfaces. Outdoor services are still limited to 250 persons or less.
Childcare Facilities
Childcare facilities can reopen for all children with health and safety precautions. In addition to the use of masks and gloves for all employees and having appropriate social distancing and disinfecting in place, they must also have a schedule for staggered drop-offs and pickups, conduct daily symptom checks, and have a strict dismissal policy in the event of positive cases.
Outdoor Community Pools
Outdoor community pools, both public and private, may now expand to 50% capacity, but must practice proper physical distancing guidelines and follow Health Department COVID-19 guidance. Indoor pools will remain closed.
Car Washes
Car washes are now allowed to perform internal cleaning, with all employees wearing PPE and other safeguards in place. Customers must remain in their cars except when establishment employees are cleaning the interior of the vehicle, and customers must wear face coverings. Self-service car cleaning remains open as well.
Outdoor Youth Sports
Outdoor youth sports may expand to no more than 100 people in any area, still in small groups with no more than 9 children and 1 coach per group. Only low-contact sports are allowed at this time.
Large Gatherings
Unless otherwise expressed in our Executive Order, gatherings for all other activities are limited to one person/family unit per 200 square feet or a maximum of 100 persons, whichever is lower. Venues for large gatherings must adhere to physical distancing requirements and CDC guidelines.
All previous reopenings and modifications of non-essential businesses that are not mentioned above remain the same. These include (but are not limited to):
Restaurants
Manufacturing
Farmer’s Markets
Parks/Playgrounds
Closures Still In Place
Some businesses and services that remain closed include:
Indoor pools
Senior Centers
County Government buildings
Theaters
Concerts
Bars, nightclubs and adult entertainment
All County businesses with questions about whether they can be open and how they can operate as Prince George’s County moves through its phased reopening, should reach out to Experience Prince George’s at ReopenPrinceGeorges@co.pg.md.us or 301-925-8300.
