October 19, 2020
Media Contact:
Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536
Charlie Gischlar, Deputy Director, Media Relations, 443-463-7234
Maryland Department of Health teams with Harford County Health Department to distribute masks to local businesses through #MasksOnMaryland campaign
Businesses encouraged to share masks with customers, employees to promote a safe experience for all
Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health today announced a partnership with the Harford County Health Department to distribute free masks to businesses at 120 S. Hays Street in Bel Air, MD on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local businesses are encouraged to share the masks with their customers and employees for the safety of everyone.
Businesses can register ahead of the event to secure masks and reduce wait times. Members of the media are welcome to attend the event to take photos and capture b-roll footage.
“As we move into flu season, our commitment to safety takes on additional meaning. Marylanders should always take the precaution of wearing a mask, but it is particularly important right now, as we are dealing with the extra threat presented by COVID-19,” said MDH Secretary Robert R. Neall. “We applaud anyone who wears a mask, and we salute those businesses that offer masks to keep their customers and employees safe.”
The event is part of the Maryland Department of Health’s (MDH) #MasksOnMaryland campaign to encourage all Marylanders to wear face coverings in public places to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On July 29, MDH and the Baltimore City branch of the NAACP distributed over 3,000 masks at the inaugural #MasksOnMaryland campaign event at the Baltimore Convention Center testing site. Several other successful events have followed, and jurisdictions across the state are encouraged to host their own events to continue promoting the use of masks.
“We are pleased to be able to distribute masks for our local community, without charge, to continue with safety precautions against COVID-19,” said Harford County Health Department Acting Health Officer Marcy Austin. “The Harford County community has worked tirelessly over the past several months to help combat this virus, and this is just another opportunity for the health department to stress the importance of safe practices during this time.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people wear face coverings in public and follow other preventive measures, such as social distancing, frequent hand washing, and cleaning high-touch areas to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to encouraging the use of masks, MDH urges any Marylander who needs a test to get a test, including:
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symptomatic individuals;
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all who suspect exposure, including those who are asymptomatic;
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individuals who are at risk of exposure, including workers in frequent contact with the public in health care, emergency services, food and grocery, retail or manufacturing, public transportation, educational, and other congregate settings;
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individuals who have been in large gatherings; and
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individuals who have travelled recently.
For a comprehensive list of testing sites in Maryland, visit COVIDtest.maryland.gov. COVID-19 information and resources are available at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov.
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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.
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