It’s an effort to slow the surge in the coronavirus. 
Frederick, Md (KM). Face covering requirements and restrictions on gatherings were adopted Thursday night by Frederick County elected officials. Meeting as the Board of Health, the County Council and the County Executive adopted a resolution requiring face coverings for persons age five and up indoors, and outside where social distancing is not possible.
There are restrictions on gatherings such as private clubs, fairgrounds, auction houses, wedding venues, bars, nightclubs, breweries, distilleries and tasting rooms. They may not exceed 25% of capacity, or 25 people, whichever is less.
In addition, churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other houses of worship cannot exceed 50% of capacity
These regulations take affect on Friday, November 13th at 5:00 PM.
County Executive Jan Gardner said many of the business people she has spoken to have asked for this type of enforcement. “We only need to focus enforcement. We are doing what we’re supposed to do, but so-and-so isn’t,” she says. “So enforcement has been requested not just from individuals, people and residents in our community, but also from businesses.”
Gardner also said putting these regulations in place now to slow the spread of COVID-19 will prevent the county’s economy from shutting down in the future.
Other regulations require fitness centers, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers and self-defense schools to require face coverings on the premises with limited exceptions.
Enforcement of these regulations will be done by Health Officer Doctor Barbara Brookmyer. She says the coronavirus is very real in the community. “It is so difficult to predict the future. It really looks we’re going to have more cases.
Violators could face fines.
If Frederick County’s seven-day rolling average case rate for the coronavirus reaches or exceed 20- per 100,000, the Health Officer could impose some additional regulations. it currently stands at 18 per 100,000.
Kevin McManus