COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

To expand Baltimore County’s coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski declared a local state of emergency.

EMERGENCY DECLARATION

Whereas, I, John A. Olszewski, Jr., the duly elected County Executive for Baltimore County, Maryland, have been advised by the Director of Emergency Management for Baltimore County and the local Health Officer that COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death, is a public health catastrophe and a public safety emergency; and

Whereas, a Declaration of State of Emergency and Existence of a Catastrophic Health Emergency was declared by the Governor of the State of Maryland on March 5, 2020; and

Whereas, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) and the President of the United States have declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern that poses an immediate danger to public safety; and

Whereas, as the COVID-19 public health catastrophe and public safety emergency continues; it threatens lives, health and property in Baltimore County, requiring Baltimore County to call all of its resources into limited or long term activation; and

Whereas, State assistance may be needed to protect public peace, health and safety in Baltimore County as well as the lives, health and property of the citizens of Baltimore County pursuant to Title 14 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; and

Whereas, Resources are requested under applicable State and local emergency plans and may consist of personnel, equipment and use of facility space, as needed for this emergency to protect the public peace and safety of the citizens of Baltimore County.

Now therefore, be it ordered and proclaimed, by the County Executive of Baltimore County, Maryland that, in accordance with the authority granted by the Charter and Laws of Baltimore County, Maryland including, but not limited to Section 3-1-503 of the Baltimore County Code, and pursuant to any and all authority vested to me by the Maryland Constitution and the Laws of Maryland, including but not limited to §14-111 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, that a state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency exists in Baltimore County, Maryland, and

It is further ordered that:

  1. This Emergency Declaration shall be promptly publicized; and
  2. A copy of the Emergency Declaration be filed with the chief local records-keeping agency; and
  3. As it is likely that the state of emergency will continue beyond March 20, 2020, pursuant to the authority granted by Section 208(e) of the Baltimore County Charter, the County Council shall be called into session on or before March 20, 2020 to consider a resolution consenting to the continuation of the state of emergency, as required by §14-111 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and §3-1-503(d) of the Baltimore County Code.

Emergency Declaration
Executive Order No. 2020-002

Now therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the State law, the Baltimore County Charter, and laws of Baltimore County, I, John A. Olszewski Jr., Baltimore County Executive, hereby proclaim that a state of emergency exists in Baltimore County this thirteenth day of March in 2020.