Phase Three: Gaithersburg Loosens Restrictions, Restores Programs

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Gaithersburg residents can expect a restoration of some city services that have been on pause this past year, as the city enters into the third phase of its coronavirus reopening plan on June 14.

Masks will be optional both indoors and outdoors, though the city encourages masks when distance cannot be maintained or for people who are unvaccinated. City buildings will reopen to the public again, along with special services and programs being restored.

Here's a list of some things you can expect back in Gaithersburg:

• The Benjamin Gaither Center reopens on June 14. (Transportation and lunch are not back yet)
• Appointments are no longer required at Fitness Zone in the Activity Center.
• Residents can get private rentals of many city facilities, as capacity restrictions loosen.
• Some in-person theater performances & concerts will resume at the Arts Barn.
• Outdoor movies on the lawn are planned in July at the Ketlands Mansion.
• The Miniature Golf Course is in full force with no capacity restrictions, however, the city said a waitlist may begin when capacity is high.
• People playing sports outside are welcome to remove their masks. Unvaccinated people are encouraged to keep them on.

City buildings available for walk-ins are City Hall, the police station, the Activity Center at Bohrer Park and Public Works.

“I arrived in Gaithersburg in September of last year and am delighted that now, nine months later, I will finally have the opportunity to meet our residents in person,” said City Manager Tanisha Briley in a news release. “We have been working hard this past year to ensure that City services continued uninterrupted to the extent possible, and that our facilities were safe for your visits. We look forward to welcoming you back to our buildings and to our programs, and we thank you for continuing to do all that you can to keep yourself and those around you safe & healthy.”

Maryland has a positivity rate of under 1 percent, according to state data. Some of Maryland's mass vaccination sites are shutting down so that resources can be focused on community-level sites, Gov. Larry Hogan announced last week.

You can find a list of vaccine clinics this week in Montgomery County here.

Find a full list of city services coming back here.

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