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COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: June 3, 2020

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The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
As businesses and community organizations begin to resume operations during COVID-19, protect yourself and others when using public transportation:
• Stay home when sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Wear cloth face coverings when physical distancing is difficult.
• Practice hand hygiene before you leave and once you arrive at your destination. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3crjSVV
WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Maryland Department of Health has updated many of their FAQs on Coronavirus and other related topics. Getting your facts from reputable resources is important, especially when false important and rumors are commonly spread on social media sites.
To stay up to date on coronavirus information, please visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/ and https://washcohealth.org/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/
MERITUS HEALTH
OUTPATIENT SERVICES RESUMING NORMAL OPERATING HOURS
Meritus Medical Laboratory draw sites in two locations will be resuming normal business hours effective Monday, June 8. These include:
  • Meritus Medical Laboratory, Boonsboro, 20311 Lappans Road, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Meritus Medical Laboratory @ Meritus Medical Plaza, 13620 Crayton Blvd., Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 6 a.m.-noon beginning Saturday, June 13.
Additionally, Meritus Equipped for Life, 525 Dual Highway, will also resume normal operating hours beginning Monday, June 8. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:00 a.m-5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
MERITUS HEALTH’S DRIVE-THRU SCREENING CENTER STILL OPEN FOR COVID-19 TESTS
COVID-19 testing will continue at the drive-thru screening center for anyone, including those who do not currently have symptoms of the coronavirus, but suspect or are concerned that they have been exposed. No appointments or referrals are needed to be tested. Testing is now available for all ages and at no cost to the patient. The drive-thru screening center is located behind Meritus Medical Plaza, at 13620 Crayton Blvd. Hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
FREE TELEHEALTH VISITS AVAILABLE
Meritus Health continues to offer FREE telehealth visits. These visits will allow patients to speak directly with a primary care provider to discuss health concerns.
Telehealth visits are available from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. To request a telehealth visit please complete the form below.
VIRTUAL VISITS CONNECT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES
Meritus Health is now offering virtual visits to connect patients in the hospital with their families and friends. To setup a virtual visit, please contact the program’s coordinator at 240-313-3163.
RISE UP BUSINESS STABILIZATION GRANT
The Washington County Department of Business Development, in partnership with the City of Hagerstown Department of Community and Economic Development, notifies local small businesses the application for the Rise Up Business Stabilization Grant is open. The application can be accessed by clicking here: RISE UP GRANT APPLICATION.
Applications will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2020. Applications will be accepted electronically and can be downloaded at www.washcorises.net. Details for submission are stated on the application. The website also provides guidelines, application instructions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
For questions regarding eligibility criteria or required documentation, please email [email protected].
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Visit www.hagerstown.org/rise for constantly updated resources and information to help you reopen your business, including the Back to Business Toolkit, 10 Things Businesses Should Do Now for Reopening, information on upcoming webinars and the MD Strong Back to Business Pledge that you can sign and post in your storefront!
Weiss Bros.: Clean Start Roadmap Offering Tools to Prepare Businesses for Reopening
The Chamber has partnered with Weiss Bros. to prepare for our eventual reopening. It’s an excellent tool for businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations also seeking ways to audit their own space efficiently and effectively.
TO sign up for an initial consultation, visit: https://form.jotform.com/201334199079156
Upcoming Webinars
Washington County Together We Rise Town Hall webinars on Tuesday, June 2nd
Friday, June 12th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Maryland SBCD Webinar: 7 Steps to Marketing Success for Local Small Businesses During These Uncertain Times!
Free 7 Steps show you the must-have elements of success on the web. Build trust with your website, create great content, learn basic SEO, Social Media engagement, email marketing and Pay per click advertising. This is a great overview of what every small business should be working on to be successful particularly in these uncertain COVID-19 times! Presenter, Dennis Ottey, Dott Digital Marketing.
Attention Employers:
FEDEX: #SupportSmall Grants – FedEx has committed $1 million to provide grants for small businesses in the U.S. Each grant recipient will receive $5,000, plus a $500 credit from FedEx Office that can be used for printing banners, posters, floor graphics, custom branded boxes, and more. Learn more
  • Hello Alice is administering grants up to $50,000 to support business growth, including $10,000 emergency COVID-19 Business for All Grants to help small businesses in crisis. Applications for COVID19 Grants close on July 16, 2020, at 11:59 PM  https://zcu.io/THLS
Rise Up Washington County Business Stabilization Grant – APPLY ONLINE NOW AT www.washcorises.net
  • Application Period: June 1- June 15, 2020
  • Grants up to $10,000 are available on a first-come, first-served basis
  • 8.9 million to be awarded
  • Businesses must be located within Washington County, including the City
Here’s how you can prepare to apply for a Rise Up Grant:
You are required to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered complete:
  • Income Statement and Balance Sheet for Year-end 12/31/19
  • Profit and Loss Statement for March 2020 and each month after to date, AND the prior year comparative statement.
  • Previous Year Tax Return
  • Schedule C of personal tax returns for sole proprietors (if applicable)
COVID-19 Travel and Tourism Research Resources – The Maryland Office of Tourism has a web page with links to numerous research and resources that the office has received. It also contains information on consumer feelings and when they will begin traveling. This page is updated often, so please come on back.
Maryland Department of Health’s Report on COVID-19 Food Safety – This is an excellent source of information for Restaurants and consumers with links to numerous resources and guidance to open your restaurant safely. Additionally, if you have a specific food safety question that is not in this document, or you cannot find the answer on any of the links it contains, please call 410-767-8401 and the Office of Food Protection staff will work to provide you an answer.
NEW INFORMATION FROM OUR LIQUOR BOARD ON OUTSIDE SEATING:
This went into effect Friday, May 29, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Effective May 27, 2020 following the Governor Hogan’s Speech, we are in the completion stage of Phase 1. With this change Restaurants, Bars, Social and Fraternal Clubs, can now serve food and beverages to customers for consumption in outdoor seating areas, with the approval of the Board. Licensed Establishments that already have existing patios or sidewalk café can use them, but you must follow the guidelines for social distancing stated forth by the Governor. Carryout/Curbside and deliveries are still also allowed.
​
THE WASHINGTON COUNTY LIQUOR BOARD IS TEMPORARILY PERMITTING ALCOHOL AT OUTSIDE SEATING
You must submit your request with a drawing. Sketch, and photo(s) of the proposed outside seating area in relation to your licensed establishment for approval.
 ​
Washington County Liquor Board
148 West Washington Street
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
(301) 797-4591
(301) 797-4599 (Fax)
Visit www.washcorises.net to stay informed regarding the latest updates to the recovery and reopening in Washington County.
The purpose of this page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to the stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the state of Maryland’s (COVID-19) response.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & INFORMATION
WASHINGTON COUNTY COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND
A campaign organized by the Community Foundation and United Way of Washington County, Maryland, announces the deadline to apply for the fifth and final cycle of grants is Monday, June 8th at midnight. Applications will be reviewed, and recipients will be announced the week of June 15th. Applications should have a focus on ensuring basic needs and essential services throughout Washington County. Applications to fund salaries will not be accepted.
Together, the Community Foundation and United Way have challenged the community to raise an additional $50,000, bringing the total up to $250,000. The initial goal for the Emergency Assistance Fund was $200,000. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, so does the community’s need for essential services and basic needs. The current amount of funds raised for Washington County COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund is $225,000.
Donations can be made online at https://bit.ly/2UR6fsy by texting COVIDWashCo to 313131, by calling 301.739.8200 x 104 or by mailing checks to United Way of Washington County, 83 West Washington Street, Suite 101, Hagerstown, MD.
For additional information, please contact the Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or [email protected].
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