By Kyle Erway
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Wednesday that capacity restrictions for recreational sports, wedding receptions, and social or fraternal organizations will be relaxed starting at 5 p.m. Friday.
The new executive order allows wedding receptions and social or fraternal organizations to host up to 50% capacity. Indoor recreational sports and programs can host 50% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less. And, outdoor recreational sports and programs can host 50% capacity or 250 people.
The order comes after significant decreases in the county’s positivity and case rates per 100,000 residents. Ball said the positivity and case rates have fallen from 13.2% to 3.8%, marking the first time Howard County’s seven-day average positivity rate has fallen below 4% since Nov. 8.
Following his announcement, Ball said that he’s seen consistent declines in key metrics over the past two weeks and he, along with other county executives, are very grateful for the residents and businesses that have taken necessary precautions to stop the spread of the virus.
Despite calling easing capacity restrictions “a step in the right direction,” Ball reiterated that, “We must continue, wearing our masks, keeping our distance, washing our hands, and when it becomes available to you, getting a vaccine.”
While some capacity restrictions have been reduced, limitations for other types of gatherings are still at 10 people or less. These include: Family gatherings, parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, and other gatherings not associated with operating or patronizing a business that sells merchandise.