

Montgomery County Government is focused on protecting the health and safety of every employee, and the community, while continuing to deliver services to the greatest extent possible for the people and organizations we serve. While schools and most public facilities will be closed, Montgomery County offices remain open for business and operations are continuing. However, everyone should expect changes to public services. We are encouraging customers to make payments and submit documents online where possible, and we are working to expand our online services. This website will continue to be updated as information becomes available.



For additional information on COVID-19, please visit: montgomerycountymd.gov/COVID19





Facility Closures and Service Suspensions:

Public School Buildings: Indoor community use of Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) facilities will not be permitted through January 29, 2021. CUPF will continue to cancel permits and issue refunds. Indoor community use of MCPS buildings beyond January 29, 2021 will be reassessed in November. Requests for Large Events are not being accepted until further notice.

County Government Buildings - The following indoor facilities remain unavailable for community use until further notice: Public Libraries Meeting Rooms Regional Services Center Meeting Rooms Executive Office Building Meeting Rooms Council Office Building Meeting Rooms Police Station Community Meeting Rooms Clarksburg Cottage

The following indoor facilities remain unavailable for community use until further notice: All indoor and outdoor community use of Public Schools and County Government facilities is currently cancelled. This includes Montgomery County Public School Facilities, the Silver Spring Civic Building, Regional Service Centers, the Executive Office Building, the Council Office Building, libraries, Clarksburg Cottage, police station meeting rooms, stadiums, natural grass fields and artificial turf fields.

Service Modifications

Parks

Montgomery Parks MontgomeryParks.org/COVID-19 for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions. Parks are still open from sunrise to sunset. Montgomery Parks has limited gatherings to 10 people. Stay six feet away from others while in parks and on trails. Do not touch surfaces such as park benches, water fountains and athletic equipment such as fitness stations. Do not play group or contact sports including basketball, soccer, and baseball. Additional information can be found on the Montgomery Parks COVID-19 website. Montgomery Parks has begun to gradually open playgrounds. It may take up to two weeks to reopen our 276 playgrounds. So, we ask your patience during this time. When playing, remember to: Wear a face covering. Stay six feet apart. Clean your hands before and after use. Park visitors are encouraged to bring their own wipes and hand sanitizer. In addition: Cabin John Ice Rink and Wheaton Ice Arena reopen on Monday, July 6 for individual athletic training (currently, no public skate sessions). Our event centers Seneca Lodge and Rockwood Manor are accepting reservations for small bookings. Indoor Tennis Centers at Wheaton Regional Park and Cabin John Regional Park will reopen on July 6 with limited hours. Our Miniature Trains at Wheaton Regional Park and Cabin John Regional Park will reopen on June 27 on weekends only until July 6, beginning on July 9 the trains will run Thursday through Sunday. The carousel at Wheaton Regional Park remains closed. Miniature Golf at South Germantown Park will reopen on June 27 on weekends only, with limited hours from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Credit card payments encouraged. The Wheaton Sports Pavilion will reopen on July 6 for futsal, soccer and lacrosse. Montgomery Parks will begin issuing permits for youth sports practice on local park Montgomery Parks athletic fields, specifically skill-building drills, and conditioning. The provisions for field use are in line with guidance from the Maryland Department of Health’s Interim Guidance for Limited Outdoor Youth Sports and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for youth sports. Fields will be available for permit-only practice beginning June 20, from noon to 8 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. To request a reservation for a field permit, league managers must obtain a permit through online registration via ActiveMontgomery or by emailing Mary.King@montgomerycountymd.gov Learn more about hours and fees by visiting our Athletic Fields Reopening Press Release and our FAQs. Montgomery Parks is expanding its open streets initiative to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to use parkways on weekends. The expansion of the program beyond Sligo Creek Parkway includes portions of Little Falls Parkway in Bethesda and portions of Beach Drive in Kensington. This provides additional space to walk, jog and bike. These sections will be closed to vehicles and open to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other park users beginning Friday mornings at 9 a.m. through Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. Note: sections of Sligo Creek Parkway will remain open to vehicles where the parkway intersects with Dennis and Maple Avenues. These sections of Sligo Creek Parkway: University Boulevard to Dennis Avenue Dennis Avenue to Forest Glen Road Piney Branch Road to Maple Avenue Maple Avenue to Old Carroll Road These sections of Little Falls Parkway: Massachusetts Avenue to River Road River Road to Arlington Road These sections of Beach Drive: Knowles Avenue to Cedar Lane Cedar Lane to Connecticut Avenue

MontgomeryParks.org/COVID-19 for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions. Maryland State Parks - State parks remain open, but the governor has ordered the closure of all structures and programs that would encourage people to congregate. Additional Information can be found on the Maryland State Park's COVID-19 website.

Boards, Committees and Commissions

Legislative Meetings

County Council - There is currently no public access to the Council Office Building. Exceptions will be made for members of the media and members of county government and outside agencies.

Maryland Courts

District Court District Court update for additional information. The District Court is maintaining a coronavirus updates website for additional information. All eviction orders in Montgomery County are stayed for an initial period of 15 days, and subject to renewal in 15-day increments, until further notice from the Court. Continue to check the State's Coronavirus Stay of Eviction Orders website for additional information. You may be allowed to enter if you are a PARTY or LAWYER for the following types of proceedings: Criminal proceedings: bail review, competency to stand trial, mental health court, contempt, quarantine violations, isolation violations, search warrants, preliminary hearings Civil Proceedings: Emergency Evaluation Petition (EEP), Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO), Domestic Violence order (DV), Peace Order (PO), body attachments.

District Court update for additional information. The District Court is maintaining a coronavirus updates website for additional information. Circuit Court – The Circuit Court is handling emergency matters only. Continue to monitor the Circuit Court website as it will be updated daily indicating which cases are being heard. Unless your case is listed on the website, do not go to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. Please note: some of these matters will be conducted over telephone or video connections. Circuit Court for Montgomery County will be resuming some non-emergency operations on Monday, June 8, 2020. Even with the reopening, the building will remain closed to the public and attorneys, with limited exceptions, until at least June 22. Please see the Circuit Court's recent administrative order for more details. If you are dropping off an emergency motion in the Dropbox outside, please call the department or the courthouse main number to let them know. Please make sure all filings are sealed in envelopes with the Department’s name on the outside. The Family Law Self Help Center attorneys are available to provide limited, legal advice via telephone Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4pm. Please call 240-777-9079 for help. The License Department is closed. Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered an extension of all driver’s and business licenses, identification cards, permits and registrations that expire or are eligible for renewal during the state of emergency. As a result, they will not expire until the 30 th day after the state of emergency has been lifted. The Land Records Department is closed to the public, but will be accepting new filings in front of the Maryland Ave. entrance at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

– The Circuit Court is handling emergency matters only. Continue to monitor the Circuit Court website as it will be updated daily indicating which cases are being heard. Unless your case is listed on the website, do not go to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. Please note: some of these matters will be conducted over telephone or video connections.

Municipality Updates

Maryland Courts - Courts and offices are closed to the public through June 5 with Judiciary operations continuing to the extent practical. Mandatory matters shall continue to be scheduled and heard in keeping with the urgency of those matters and consistent with statutory requirements. See website for additional information.

Mall Updates

Governor Hogan announced all malls in the state must close until further notice. The governor has modified his order to close malls to allow access to critical services such as pharmacies and grocery stores.

Other Information

no more than 10 people

Only go out for essential travel and permitted exercise.

Practice physical distancing of at least six feet.

Do not congregate in groups of more than 10 people.

Wear a face covering when going out in public.

Wash hands frequently.

Stay away from others when you are sick.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Effective immediately, Montgomery County will be following the state’s guidelines of a limit offor public gatherings. To help further slow the spread of the virus, we encourage the public to:We encourage residents to visit Montgomery County Health and Human Services (See FAQ tab) for the most up-to-date information about coronavirus, including what to do if you are experiencing symptoms.



Updates will be made on the County’s website at: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ and on Facebook and Twitter.

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