Unlike previous years, when the Top 10 most-read stories on the Source was dominated by business-related articles, 2020’s list is more of a mixed bag. There is still a heavy emphasis on business posts, as COVID-19 intruded into the list like it did virtually everything else from March to the present. Which is exactly what affected the most-read pieces of the year.
A group of Montgomery County restaurants and bars, including several in Silver Spring, has filed suit against Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich objecting to the terms of the most recent Executive Order 139-20AM2. The order, approved by the County Council, eliminated indoor dining and provided other restrictions, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The county’s Alcohol Beverage Services store in the White Oak Shopping Center at 11239 New Hampshire Ave. has temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, the department announced. ABS learned about the positive test on Saturday, Dec. 19 and the store closed. The employee’s last day at work was Dec. 17.
The County Council today approved County Executive Marc Elrich’s Executive Order 139-20AM2 that eliminates indoor dining and provides other restrictions, effective at 5 p.m. today (Dec. 15). Outdoor dining, carry-out, delivery and drive-through food service may continue, though outdoor dining is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under an existing order from Gov. Larry Hogan.
Indoor dining at restaurants would be eliminated under the terms of a new executive order issued yesterday by County Executive Marc Elrich. Executive Order 139-20 would still permit outdoor dining, carry out, delivery and drive-through food service. Outdoor service is not permitted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under an existing order from Governor Larry Hogan.
The County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved four special appropriations totaling about $30 million to support continuing programs providing pandemic-related assistance to county residents.
The African American Health Program Executive Committee recently launched a free COVID-19 testing program targeting the county’s African American residents, the committee announced. The targeted COVID-19 response program, with the tagline “Don’t Stress. Take the Test.” is offered a various drive-through locations around the county and also includes need-based wellness services.
The County Council yesterday approved Executive Order 122-20 from County Executive Marc Elrich that places restrictions on the number of people who can gather at various types of events, as well as be served indoors at restaurants and retailers. “We have been watching the daily number of new cases go up for more than two weeks and it’s unfortunately time to roll back some of our reopening steps in order to decrease the spike we are seeing,” said Elrich.
The county cancelled its Late-Night Alcohol Sales Program as of yesterday at 5 p.m., officials announced. The program was launched in October and allowed restaurants to apply for a permit to sell and serve alcohol after 10 p.m. if they had not been cited or closed during the previous 60 days.