Masks No Longer Required In Town Of Bel Air Buildings, Offices

BEL AIR, MD — Masks are no longer required in government buildings operated by the Town of Bel Air. The town issued a statement Monday announcing the change in protocol.

"In response to Governor Hogan’s announcement and with the guidance of the CDC, the Town of Bel Air offices and buildings will no longer require the wearing of facemasks," town officials said in a statement. "This applies to both visitors and employees."

Previously face coverings had been required to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The town's decision came days after Maryland lifted its statewide mandate.

The governor removed Maryland's mask mandates effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 15.

Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped its recommendation that vaccinated people wear masks and practice social distancing indoors. Exceptions are health care settings or crowded spaces like prisons, buses, planes and homeless shelters.

"The Harford County Health Department continues to advise that unvaccinated people continue to mask as the virus has not gone away," the town of Bel Air said in a statement.

"We do ask that individuals make the best decision based on their vaccination status," the Town of Bel Air said in a statement. "The Town of Bel Air has lifted this requirement, however, maintains the authority to reinstate the mask mandate if the Town or County COVID-19 numbers increase."

Here is the coronavirus data for Harford County as of Monday, May 17, according to the Maryland Department of Health:

• 16,420 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
• 272 deaths from COVID-19
• 115,232 received first of two-dose vaccine (45.111 percent)
• 91,587 received second dose of two-dose vaccine (35.854 percent)
• 9,968 received single-dose vaccine (3.902 percent)

The CDC guidance to wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus remains in effect for those not vaccinated against COVID-19, who are encouraged to find a vaccine.

See Also:

• Baltimore Keeps Mask Mandate Intact Despite State Lifting It
• Masks In Maryland: 'No More Restrictions,' Governor Says