No More Masks For Most Howard County Residents

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents now are able to skip wearing their face coverings unless they're riding on public transit, in schools, daycares or at a medical facility. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said the county would follow Gov. Larry Hogan's recommendation made after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday it was rescinding almost all its recommended coronavirus mitigation rules.

"You should feel free to safely resume any activities without wearing a mask indoors or outdoors," Hogan said at a news conference Friday. Businesses and workplaces are "obviously free to set their own policies with respect to masking, and we support their ability to do so."

Since more than 75 percent of Howard County residents age 16 and older have received the first dose, Ball said county officials felt "confident relaxing the mask mandate that was in place."

“With that said, I strongly encourage residents who have not yet been fully vaccinated to continue wearing masks until they have received their vaccine. It’s never been easier to get vaccinated, and we have sites around Howard County ready to get shots in arms. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and your loved ones," he said.

Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer, noted that there is still a risk of illness for those who have not yet been vaccinated.

"The county and health department are providing many opportunities to receive vaccine at convenient clinics throughout the community. We encourage all of our neighbors, friends and loved ones to take advantage of these clinics to protect themselves and get back to a more normal life," Rossman said.