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Coronavirus Updates and Guidance
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COVID-19 Update for January 20
MD & PG COVID metrics continue to slowly decline, but remain at critical levels. Jan 20 case #s: Bowie: 5,351 (+50) PG: 63,994 (+402) MD: 332,353 (+2,167). PG County offers food assistance 1/22 – 1/24. Council virtual worksession on FY2022 budget 1/23. View the full January 20 COVID update.
Current Prince George's County Guidance and Restrictions as of December 11, 2020
| Large gatherings and events are limited to one person per 200 sq. ft. or a maximum of 10 persons at all indoor locations and venues, including private residences. | Places of worship are limited to 1 person per 200 sq. ft. or 25% of maximum occupancy, whichever is lower. Outdoor services are limited to 125 persons. | Restaurant carry-out, delivery, and outdoor dining (50% capacity) are authorized. Indoor dining prohibited. |
| Retail and personal services are permitted at 1 person per 200 sq. ft. or 25% whichever is lower.Outdoor movie theaters cannot exceed a maximum of 100 vehicles | Gaming facilities and casinos may operate at 25%. Bowling alleys are 1 patron per 200 sq. ft., not to exceed 25% maximum capacity but not to exceed 50 patrons | Indoor skating rinks may operate at 1 patron per 200 sq. ft. or 25% maximum capacity, whichever is lower. |
| Youth and amateur sports may be played outdoors with no more than 25 players and 1 parent per youth participant. | Fitness centers including health clubs, gyms, outdoor aquatic centers and self-defense schools, are limited to 1 patron per 200 sq. ft. or 25% maximum capacity. | |
Source: Executive Order No. 26-2020 | ||
Resources
Bowie Updates
The City of Bowie publishes a daily COVID update each weekday. It contains the latest data on the outbreak locally and provides updates on the evolving health crisis. Links to past updates are below. Future updates can be received by text or email by registering for Alert Bowie.
Most recent update | Previous updates from the City of Bowie | Public Health Declaration issued by the City.
Bowie Operating Status - What’s Open and What’s Closed
Facilities
Open Now*
- Service windows at City Hall for Animal Control, Code Enforcement, Rental Licenses, & Water Bill payments
- Police Department lobby for obtaining police reports, paying speed cameras, and conducting other Police Department business.
- Parks and playgrounds
- Fitness equipment in parks
- Ballfields for youth sports and low contact sports (maximum 10 per field). Practices only; no competitions.
- Tennis courts
- Outdoor basketball courts
- City Gymnasium open with restrictions. (no basketball)
- Permits required for ballfields. Residents only.
- Picnic permits required for pavilions and other permitted areas (max 50). Residents only.
- Ice Arena open with restrictions.
(*) Please note: Capacity and other limitations are in effect, per the Prince George’s County Executive Order in effect December 16, at 5 p.m. This information is subject to change. Call 301-262-6200 for details and updated information.
Still Closed, Canceled, or Suspended
- Historic Properties, Senior Center, Kenhill Center
- Conference room reservations
- Concerts at Allen Pond Park
- In-person City events
- In-person meetings (City Council, committees, stakeholder, and town hall meetings are all being conducted virtually.)
Bowie Services
Curbside collections: Collection of bulk and large metal items have returned to the way they were done prior to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Bulk items are large items that cannot fit in a trashcan or bag such as sofas, mattresses, tables, etc.
- Bulk items may be set next to your trash can or bag on your regular trash collection days.
- Large metal items - metal furniture, appliances, grills (no tanks) - will be collected on Wednesdays by appointment only. Call 301-809-2344 or visit www.cityofbowie.org/servicerequest to schedule an appointment.
- Small metal items that can fit in a trashcan, should be disposed of in that way.
Council Meetings: CLOSED to the public. Residents may view meetings online at www.cityofbowie.org/viewmeetings or on Verizon channel 10 or Comcast channel 71 and 996. Those wishing to submit testimony for public hearings, or comments for the Citizen Participation portion of an upcoming Council meeting, can email written testimony/comments to cityclerk@cityofbowie.org. Or, mail the comments to City Hall. For more information, contact the City Clerk at 301-809-3029 or ahernandez@cityofbowie.org.
Other Services & Updates
Bowie Pantry & Emergency Aid Fund: OPEN with changes in operations. Visit the Pantry’s website for more information.
Senior Meals: Homebound meals will continue to be delivered to those registered for the county's program. For information, contact the Prince George’s County Department of Aging Senior Nutrition Program at 301-265-8475.
Prince George’s County Public Schools: The school year began with distance learning. For the latest PGCPS information, visit www.pgcps.org.
School Children Meals: View the full list of meal distribution locations on the PGCPS website.
Maryland Energy Assistance Program: The MEAP provides financial assistance with home heating bills, natural gas arrearage assistance, crisis assistance, and furnace repair or replacement. Payments are made to the fuel supplier and utility company on the customer’s behalf. Submit an application here.
Electric Universal Service Program: The EUSP provides bill payment assistance and arrearage assistance for electric customers. Customers who receive EUSP funds are placed on a budget billing plan with their utility company spread out year annual utility bills into even monthly payments to avoid spikes caused by seasonal fluctuations in energy use. Submit an application here.
Electric and Gas Retirement Assistance Programs: Benefits are also available to help pay past due balances on electric and gas utility accounts. Eligible customers receive assistance for a portion of their current electric bills and/or forgiveness of up to $2,000 toward their past due bill. Customers must have a past due bill of $300 or greater to be eligible, and may only receive an arrearage grant once every seven years, with certain exceptions. Submit an application here.
Prince George’s County Memorial Library System: Will gradually resume in-person services. For the latest library information, visit www.pgcmls.info
Prince George’s County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline: 301-883-6627
Maryland Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 410-767-6871
How can I protect myself?
- Take everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs;
- Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water
- Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- If you are sick, stay home from work or school
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
- Stay home if you are sick. If you suspect for any reason that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, do not go to the hospital, call your primary care physician and they will direct you.
- CDC Guidance on wearing Cloth Face Coverings (updated Dec. 28, 2020)
Social Distancing
- Stay home as much as possible. If you need to go out, be sure to wear your mask and maintain six feet social distancing from others.
- Try to use delivery services-- you can get just about anything delivered right to your door. Online shopping is a great way to help the economy. Continue to order food from your local restaurants if possible.
- Find activities that are safe and relaxing. Walk in your neighborhood, play in your yard, plant a garden. Converse with your neighbors over the fence and from a safe distance. This is a great time to meet people we drive past every day.
- Please don’t hoard. This is a scary time, but the stores are restocking daily.
Guidelines
- When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19 (updated Dec. 1, 2020)
- If You are Sick or Caring for Someone (updated Nov. 20, 2020)
- How to Wash Face Coverings (updated Oct. 28, 2020)
What is the Coronavirus?
- There are several common coronaviruses that infect the human and animal population and cause mild to moderate illness, such as the common cold. The coronavirus also caused the Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
- The coronavirus that originated in China has been designated COVID-19 and most likely spread from bats at an open-air market to humans. Person-to-person spreading is now occurring across the globe.
- Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Governor Hogan, PG County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Bowie Mayor Adams with the City Council have all declared States of Emergency in order to provide a more coordinated statewide response across all levels of government.
- View the latest Situation Summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Where can I get more information?
- During an epidemic/ pandemic event, rumors will run wild. When looking for information and updates on the coronavirus, use trust-worthy sites only, do not believe everything you read on social media.
Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC)