Category: Montgomery County, MD

  • Bill Would Prohibit Residential Rent Increases During COVID-19 Emergency

    Bill Would Prohibit Residential Rent Increases During COVID-19 Emergency

    Landlords would not be permitted to increase residential rents during the COVID-19 emergency under the terms of a bill introduced yesterday by Councilmember Will Jawando (D-At Large). Expedited Bill 18-20, Landlord-Tenant Relations – Rent Stabilization During Emergencies (the COVID-18 Renter Relief Act) also would prevent rent increase notices for 30 days after the emergency ends.

  • Face Coverings Now Required for Certain Employees, Customers During COVID-19 Emergency

    Face Coverings Now Required for Certain Employees, Customers During COVID-19 Emergency

    Employees and customers of certain retail outlets in the county are now required to wear face coverings during the COVID-19 emergency, according to a health order issued by Travis Gayles, M.D., the county’s health officer. The order, effective today (April 13), covers grocery stores, pharmacies and large chain retailers (“big-box” stores), as well as farmers…

  • Second Parkway Section Closed Weekends During COVID-19 Emergency

    Second Parkway Section Closed Weekends During COVID-19 Emergency

    Montgomery Parks announced that a second section of Sligo Creek Parkway would be closed to traffic on weekends, beginning today (April 10) during the COVID-19 emergency. The closure, in effect from 9 a.m. Fridays to 6 p.m. Sunday, will allow additional space for walkers, runners and bicyclists.

  • Council Seeks Comment on Plan to Require Face Coverings During COVID-19 Emergency

    Council Seeks Comment on Plan to Require Face Coverings During COVID-19 Emergency

    The County Council is looking for public comments on a plan to require employees and customers of essential businesses to wear face coverings during any interactions under the COVID-19 emergency. The council yesterday announced its intention to introduce the measure as an emergency Board of Health regulation during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 14.

  • Childcare, Travel Support Offered to Essential Workers During COVID-19 Emergency

    Childcare, Travel Support Offered to Essential Workers During COVID-19 Emergency

    Two area organizations are offering childcare and travel support for essential workers at no cost during the COVID-19 emergency. The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington has opened several of its branches and program centers to provide emergency childcare for workers, including at the Silver Spring branch. At the same time, the county’s Department of Transportation announced…

  • Council Approves $36.5 Million in COVID-19 Emergency Aid

    Council Approves $36.5 Million in COVID-19 Emergency Aid

    The County Council yesterday approved a package of measures to provide $36.5 million in financial assistance to businesses and other organizations affected by the COVID-19 emergency. The largest amount, $20 million, will fund a Public Health Emergency Grant Program that would allow the county executive to provide grants of up to $75,000 to county businesses…

  • County, State Police Announce Policies for Enforcement of Stay-at-Home Order

    County, State Police Announce Policies for Enforcement of Stay-at-Home Order

    The Montgomery County Department of Police and the state police yesterday announced policies and procedures the departments would follow while enforcing Gov. Larry Hogan’s Monday stay-at-home order. Neither department’s officers will make random stops to ask whether drivers are in compliance with the order to undertake only essential travel.

  • Governor Issues Stay-at-Home Order During COVID-19 Emergency

    Governor Issues Stay-at-Home Order During COVID-19 Emergency

    Gov. Larry Hogan has issued an executive order directing Marylanders to remain in their homes during the COVID-19 emergency, effective at 8 p.m. tonight, March 30. “I have signed an executive order which institutes a stay-at-home directive,” the governor announced during a press conference this morning. “No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless…

  • COVID–19 Closures Extended for Schools, Public Facilities

    COVID–19 Closures Extended for Schools, Public Facilities

    Gov. Larry Hogan extended the closure of public schools due to the COVID-19 emergency, and Montgomery County Public Schools began distributing laptops to students needing them for distance learning. The closures are in effect until at least April 24 and all extracurricular programs, athletic programs are cancelled.