COVID-19 Joint Information Center Update: June 5, 2020

Posted: June 5, 2020

Coronavirus, Daily COVID-19 Briefings

The Washington County, Maryland Joint Information Center (JIC) provides the following update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

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EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

At Governor Hogan’s most recent press conference, the announcement was made that effective at 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, June 5, 2020, the State of Maryland will be entering Stage Two of the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery. Please view Governor Hogan’s Executive Order for specific information.

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners announced that Washington County will be following the directives from the State of Maryland. Effective at 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, June 5, 2020, Washington County will proceed with the additional openings listed in Stage Two of the COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

Reopening of Non-essential Businesses
Manufacturing
Construction
Large and small retail shops
Speciality vendors
Wholesalers
Warehouses
Offices
Information technology firms
Legal offices
Accounting
Banking and financial institutions
Insurance agencies
Design studios
Advertising and architectural firms
Media production companies
Real Estate
Travel agencies
Auto dealer showrooms
Bank branches

Various other offices may all safely reopen with public health and safety guidance recommendations in place. This guidance includes:
Wearing face coverings whenever face-to-face interaction takes place.
Conducting temperature checks for workers and other personnel.
Limiting the proximity of employees by rotating employee hours.
Instituting split schedules, shifts, or shorter work weeks.
Staggering start, break, or shift times.

Employees who can telework should continue to do so whenever possible.

Additional Personal Services Reopen – Additional personal services may resume operations at up to 50 percent capacity, by appointment only, and with appropriate health and safety guidelines.
Nail salons
Massage therapists
Tanning salons
Tattoo parlors
Motor Vehicle Administration – The Motor Vehicle Administration and other customer-facing agencies will begin reopening select branches to customers on a limited basis by appointment only. Staff will be required to wear face coverings and will have plexiglass dividers at each station.
Transit – With more Marylanders back to work, transit will begin to return to a more normal schedule.
Child Care Centers – Maryland State Department of Education will continue with its gradual plan to reopen child care centers.

Citizens are encouraged to continue the following:

Encourage seniors and vulnerable populations to stay at home
Continue teleworking
No gatherings over 10 people
Wear face covering at retail establishments and public transportation

As additional industries and activities begin to resume, the Maryland Department of Commerce continues to develop and issue guidance and best practices to help businesses reopen safely. These resources are available at open.maryland.gov/backtobusiness.

County officials and the Emergency Operations Center will continue to follow the lead of State officials and the Maryland Coronavirus Recovery Team as they to watch the data closely. If encouraging trends continue, the next step, likely coinciding with the end of the school year, will be to consider opening additional amusement, fitness, sporting, and other summertime activities.

To stay updated on the Stages of Reopening and Recovery in Washington County, Maryland, please visit www.washcorises.net.

As COVID-19 still exists in the County, citizens are reminded to continue washing hands and maintaining appropriate physical distance. Below is an at-a-glance from the initial reopening of Stage One in Washington County, Maryland.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Washington County Health Department is expanding free COVID-19 testing to vulnerable and hard to reach populations in Washington County. The health department is working with local towns and communities all over the county to bring mobile walk-in testing sites right to the local residents. Testing as these sites will be open to everyone and you do not need a doctors referral or an appointment to participate. The tests used are the quick nasal swap that takes about 15 seconds to administer. Please follow social distancing and masking guidelines when participating at these sites.

At this time we have scheduled free COVID-19 testing at the following locations.

6/12: Hancock- 126 W. High St. Hancock, MD 21750 from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
6/19: Clear Spring- 12627 Broadfording Rd, Clear Spring, MD 21722 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

New locations will be announced on the Health Department’s website at https://washcohealth.org/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/ and on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WashHealth/

MERITUS HEALTH

NEW HOURS AT MERITUS HEALTH’S DRIVE-THRU SCREENING CENTER START MONDAY, JUNE 8

Effective Monday, June 8, the drive-thru screening center for COVID-19 testing will be open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The screening center is located behind Meritus Medical Plaza at 13620 Crayton Blvd. Testing is available 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. There is no cost to the patient.

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, 8:30 a.m-5:30 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 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.

BOOK YOUR TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENT HERE

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

INFORMATION FROM OUR LIQUOR BOARD ON EXPANDED OUTSIDE SEATING:

Go to: https://www.wcliquorboard.com/copy-of-welcome-1

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)

[email protected]

Upcoming Webinars

Thursday, June 11th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Maryland SBCD Webinar: 10 Thing to Stabilize Your Business in the Time of Financial Uncertainty

In these times of uncertainty, do you know how to keep your business stable and ready to move forward? Join this webinar to learn ways ensure your business remains steadfast in such devastating times. Presenter, Bev Stitely, EA CTM Managing Partner, Saunders Tax and Accounting Certified Tax Master

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

Visit www.washcorises.net to stay informed regarding the latest updates to the recovery and reopening in Washington County.

WASHINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

GRADS 2020: A FAMILY CELEBRATION

Washington County Public Schools is committed to providing the class of 2020 with the best graduation celebration possible while balancing the current restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We are incredibly proud of our graduates for all they have accomplished, and they deserve a proper celebration.

While Maryland has moved to Stage Two of the Roadmap to Recovery, the governor’s restrictions on gathering sizes have not changed. As a result, a traditional graduation is just not possible. We have explored the option of an in-person graduation ceremony with students only that would be shared through an online live-stream. After working through the details of this ceremony with local officials, the restrictions in place would prevent many students from viewing the full event.

WCPS appreciates students, parents, and community members who have reached out to the school system to share thoughts and ideas for making this graduation milestone memorable and special. Your input is valuable and highly considered in the decision-making process. Thank you also for the many unique celebrations you have organized to honor graduates in your own communities.

With the on-going changes of the COVID-19 pandemic, WCPS is adjusting previously shared plans for the class of 2020 graduation ceremony.

Graduates will now be honored in individual, scheduled recognitions the week of June 15, 2020 to give each graduate an opportunity to walk across the stage at their school with four guests present.

The following format will be followed at all schools:

Graduates will schedule a date and time that is coordinated through the school principal in advance. Times will be scheduled in five (5) minute intervals.
Graduates may bring a maximum of four (4) guests.
Graduates and their guests will be required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth. Masks in school colors will be provided to all attending graduates at the entrance (see photo below). Guests are required to bring their own masks.
Graduates and their guests will be escorted from their vehicle into the school to a designated area for the individualized ceremony.
Graduates will be announced, receive their diploma cover, and walk across the stage in their cap and gown as their guests watch.
Graduates will have a photo taken with their guests by a photographer. Face coverings may be removed for the photo.

Face masks for graduates

Principals are finalizing details for each school. By early next week, they will be contacting students and families regarding more specific arrangements. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause families who made plans to view other scheduled ceremonies.

The virtual graduation video that is currently being compiled will serve as the full graduation ceremony, featuring student speakers and the presentation of graduates with submitted photos and videos. This will be provided to all graduates as a keepsake item to remember their classmates and this unprecedented school year. The virtual graduations will air on YouTube Premiere the week of June 15, 2020. If there is any change to the schedule, we will notify families and graduates.

The health of our community continues to be a priority. WCPS staff will practice proper social distancing and will wear face masks when interacting with graduates and their guests.

In these extraordinary times, the class of 2020 is a truly extraordinary group of graduates. We look forward to celebrating with you and your loved ones the week of June 15, 2020.

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

EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHEDULES SHOE DRIVE

The Washington County Education Foundation is coordinating the Summer’s a Shoe-In collection of gently used shoes from Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, 2020. Drive-thru donations will be accepted at five high schools on Saturday, June 13 and Saturday, June 20. The Foundation is encouraging WCPS families who are returning school system-issued technology and wrapping up other end-of-year matters to consider a donation of shoes at schools throughout the county. Anyone else in the community is also welcome to make a contribution.

Drive-thru donations can be dropped off between 10:00 and noon on June 13 and June 20 at Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, Smithsburg and Williamsport high schools. From June 15 through 19, collection bins will be set up during school hours at Bester, Cascade, Eastern, Jonathan Hager, Maugansville, Pangborn, Pleasant Valley, Rockland Woods and Salem Avenue elementary schools, Northern Middle School, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, Smithsburg and Williamsport high schools. Donations will also be accepted that week at Hagerstown Community College and the Center for Education Services, 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown.

It’s another way the Education Foundation supports the students and families of Washington County Public Schools.

SCHOOL(S):

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.