Anne Arundel Requires Retail Shoppers, Employees to Wear Masks Amid Crisis

Anne Arundel requires retail shoppers and employees to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

mask-4964590_1280Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and Anne Arundel Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman today announced an Order for Public Safety that requires shoppers to wear face coverings in retail stores beginning Wednesday, April 15. Similarly, employees of retail stores will be required to wear face coverings when in any area of the establishment where they are likely to come in contact with coworkers or the public.

As previously reported on Conduit Street, Montgomery County last week ordered shoppers to wear face coverings in grocery stores, pharmacies, and large chain retail establishments. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks signed a similar order, which also requires residents to weak facial coverings while using the County’s bus transit system.

“Our most effective tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is for each of us to act as though we are carriers of the virus, because we could be,” said County Executive Pittman. “Face coverings in retail businesses by both shoppers and staff will save lives. I fully support Dr. Kalyanaraman’s decision to require this protection.”

According to a press release:

The order was signed by Dr. Kalyanaraman, acting on the authority granted to him as county health officer by Governor Larry Hogan’s April 5th executive order. It affects all retail establishments allowed to remain open as essential businesses under the Governor’s stay at home order of March 30. The order does not apply to children under 2 years old or those who could not wear a mask without inhibiting their health. Face coverings may be made of cloth or other materials and need not be surgical grade masks such as N95 masks, which should be reserved for health workers.

“Masks protect you and those around you,” said Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “It’s an important way each of us can slow the spread of the virus.”

In addition to the face covering requirements, the order also requires retail businesses to:

  • limit customer capacity to 50% of normal capacity;
  • maintain six feet between customers in checkout lines;
  • make aisles one-way wherever possible;
  • clearly mark social distancing restrictions, including six-foot separations and one-way requirements, on the floor;
  • provide access to sanitary restrooms and soap and or hand sanitizer for customers and workers;
  • discontinue all self-service food counters; and
  • the installation of a physical barrier or shield (e.g., clear Plexiglas or heavy plastic sheeting) between cashiers and customers is highly encouraged.

Any complaints or violations of this order will be investigated by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Violations are subject to a maximum $500 fine. The department has the authority to issue closure orders to businesses who violate this policy if necessary, but Dr. Kalyanaraman has indicated it will first issue warnings.

The Anne Arundel County Order for Public Safety is available on the county website: https://aahealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Health-Officer-Order-Face-Coverings.pdf.

Useful Links

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Montgomery Health Order Requires Shoppers to Wear Masks at Stores

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: MACo Compiles List of Local Resources During COVID-19 Response

For up-to-date information and state resources regarding coronavirus, including confirmed case counts and clinician guidance, visit http://health.maryland.gov/coronavirus.