Coronavirus - COVID-19 Resources

Coronavirus - Frederick County Response

Current Status:

For a full list of local COVID-19 regulations, past and present, click here. 

Effective March 26, 2021, the Frederick County Board of Health updated limits on gathering sizes, requiringBOH Regulation Graphic March 2021 documention for events larger than 100 people, voted to adopt state's guidance (2021-03-09) on occupancy limits.

Effective March 12, 2021, Governor's order 2021-03-09 lifts the state of Maryland's 50% Occupancy limits on : 

  1.  Religious Facilities;
  2.  Retail Establishments;
  3.  Personal Services Establishments;
  4.  Indoor Recreation Establishments;
  5.  Bars and Restaurants;
  6.  Fitness Centers;
  7.  Gaming Facilities; and
  8.  Racing Facilities. 

State Executive Order 21-02-23-01 extending the State of Emergency in Maryland restated March 18, 2021.

Effective Monday, February 22, Executive Order 02-2021 was allowed to expire, including limitations on food establishments' hours of operation and the late night sale of alcohol.

State Executive Order 21-02-23-01 extending the State of Emergency in Maryland restated February 19, 2021. 

Effective 5 p.m. on Friday, February 5, food service establishments may stay open until midnight. Alcohol my not be sold or brought onto the premises after 10 p.m.

Executive Order 02-2021

Effective 5 p.m. on Friday, December 11, capacity limits for indoor recreation establishments are revised as follows:

  • Bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, roller and ice skating rinks, social and fraternal clubs, and the indoor areas of any other establishments subject to the admission and amusement tax are limited to 50% capacity;
  • If 50% capacity would allow more than 50 people, then the establishment's capacity is lowered to 25%. 
  • The 25% cap also applies in areas where food and beverages are served within recreational establishments.

Executive Order 07-2020
Joint Directive

Effective 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, Governor Larry Hogan has set the following restrictions:  

  • Religious facilities, retail establishments and malls may not exceed 50% capacity. (Religious facilities are currently capped at 50% by the Frederick County Board of Health.)
  • Food service establishments cannot be open to the public for dining from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Take-out and delivery are allowed during these hours.
  • Outdoor sporting venues may not exceed 50% capacity. 

Details can be found in State Executive Order 20-11-17-01.

The following requirements by the Frederick County Board of Health are in effect as of 5 p.m. on November 13:

Face coverings

  • All residents ages 5 and older must wear face coverings:
    • In all indoor public spaces. This includes tobaccoist shops, cigar bars, vapor lounges, and hookah lounges.
    • In all public outdoor spaces where the person is unable to consistently maintain at least six feet of distance from individuals who are not members of their household. 

Gathering size

  • Limiting EVENTS at indoor AND outdoor venues to 25 people or 25% of venue capacity, whichever is less.
    • This applies to bars; nightclubs; breweries; distilleries; wine tasting rooms; event venues including but not limited to civic service clubs, private clubs, indoor agro-tourism enterprise activities; fairgrounds; farm-based alcoholic beverage tasting rooms; farm brewery tasting rooms; rodeos; auction houses; and social and private gatherings. 
    • This will apply to wedding venues on November 30 at 9 a.m. 
  • Religious facilities are limited to 50% of their capacity.  
  • Fitness centers, including health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers, and self-defense schools are limited to 25% of their maximum capacity. Face coverings are required of all people except as allowed by the State Executive Order 20-07-29-01. 
  • In all cases, State requirements for physical distancing, disinfecting, and all public health measures should be followed to reduce the spread of the virus.

Enforcement of this regulation will include increasing fines starting at $250.

Governor Larry Hogan's Executive Order 20-11-10-01 limits restaurants in Maryland to 50% of their capacity. In addition, the Maryland Department of Health issued an advisory strongly recommending that Marylanders limit travel to essential purposes only. Earlier statewide Executive Orders have set capacity limits for retail businesses at 75% capacity. State requirements for physical distancing, disinfecting, and all public health measures should be followed to reduce the spread of the virus.

How Can I Stay Informed? 

View the Frederick County COVID-19 Dashboard and read the Frederick County Health Department’s website.

To receive daily updates from the Joint Information Center, text keyword "FREDCoVID19" to 888777. Daily updates also are posted to the JIC web page. Media outlets are encouraged to use this website.

Sign up for emergency notifications at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ALERT.

Find resources in other languages.

Click here for information on how to get tested and testing locations in Frederick County. 

Information about Statewide orders and restrictions can be found here. Additional state resources can be found here. 

Office of the County Executive

Health Department 

State of Maryland

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