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Montgomery County will loosen COVID-19 restrictions in three phases tied to the percentage of residents who are vaccinated.
In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Montgomery County Council approved the reopening plan. Download our NBC Washington app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather.
Phase 1 starts at 5 p.m. Tuesday, after more than 50% of residents received their first vaccination shot. Under Phase 1:
Gathering limits increase to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
Businesses that were limited to 25% capacity can operate at 50% capacity
Malls can reopen their pedestrian concourses and return tables and chairs inside
Maryland Sen. Kagan Honored for Advocacy, Social Justice Work
Maryland Sen. Cheryl Kagan, who represents Gaithersburg and Rockville, was called “a life-long champion” for both Montgomery County and “the entire state of Maryland,” by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen as she received the 2021 Hyman Bookbinder Award from AJC, the American Jewish Committee, April 25.
U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin called her “our beloved senator” and praised her for her efforts for the environment, as a consumer champion and her work to improve the state’s 911 emergency system. He also thanked her for crusading to rid the state of its racist state song, “Maryland, My Maryland.” U.S. Rep. David Trone added, “She is a voice for the voiceless and a strong advocate for justice. She’s a true leader in the community.
Some council members concerned about budget proposal for next year
Officials push back on federal aid assumptions, employee raises
April 15, 2021 | 8:32 am
April 15, 2021
File photo
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to chip away at the economy, Montgomery County officials are looking ahead to financial uncertainties of the next fiscal year.
Although tax-supported revenues are expected to grow by 0.8%, County Executive Marc Elrich proposed a budget for fiscal year 2022 that is about a 5% increase from the current fiscal year’s budget. The next fiscal year begins on July 1.
During a briefing on the budget with the County Council on Tuesday, staff members discussed key points of the recommended $6.7 billion spending plan.
Leaders, Residents Working to Mitigate Air Traffic Noise From Reagan National Airport
Local jurisdictions are working together to reduce noise related to air traffic from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
More than 150 residents from both sides of the Potomac River, including County Councilmember Andrew Friedson and officials from northern Virginia, tuned into the Airplane Noise Virtual Community Conversation on Monday to get a progress report on the NOWGEN-DCA Project.
“Montgomery and Arlington Counties joined together to hire an airspace expert to help us gather data and devise new flight procedures to mitigate the intense noise our communities have been experiencing from planes arriving at and departing from Reagan National Airport,” said Friedson.
Elevating the Essential and Health Workforce
“For the last year, I have witnessed the incredible work and dedication of our public health staff and the much-needed assistance they have provided to our residents during these very difficult times,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I think that we all have learned how vital the health department is to our community, and National Public Health Week is our time to recognize and thank the people who have worked tirelessly to protect our quality of life and make Montgomery County a healthier place for all.”
Grateful this National Public Health Week for the work of @MoCoDHHS, which has provided more than 500,000 COVID vaccinations as of Friday, and that Montgomery County is home to some of the leading health experts and institutions in the world. #NPHW2021pic.twitter.com/aQ3PmYDuOU