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Montgomery County limits indoor gatherings to no more than 10 people and requires face masks outdoors, starting at 5 p.m.
Just before Thanksgiving, the health official for Montgomery County, Md., Is putting new coronavirus safety restrictions in place, including a reduced cap on the size of gatherings.
Dr Travis Gayles said in a statement that indoor gatherings of more than 10 people are banned from 5 p.m. Tuesday. Masks are mandatory outside at all times and inside all public facilities.
The move comes as many localities in the region impose new restrictions in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases, and family reunions are a big driver of that increase, Gayles said in a statement.
“Contact tracing data indicates that family and group reunions are where a significant number of state cases occur,” Gayles said.
“It is extremely important that each of us reflect on our collective responsibility to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The number of cases continues to increase at an alarming rate and we must take more drastic measures to reduce transmission. “
Cases of the virus in Montgomery County have increased by more than 2,000 in the past week, the statement said.
The directive also states that face masks with valves and face shields without a mask do not count as appropriate face coverings.
Businesses allowed to open still have a 25-person limit, and the cap for outdoor gatherings remains at 25.
You can read Gayles’ full guideline on the Montgomery County website.
More coronavirus news
Looking for more information? DC, Maryland and Virginia each publish more data every day. Visit their official websites here: Virginia | Maryland | DC
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