The community’s safety and that of our staff is our Mayor’s, staff’s and Council Members Hushour, Poirier, Washabaugh, Reed and Munder’s, number # 1 concern. The Town of Mount Airy has created a new webpage at www.mountairymd.gov/COVID19 that will have the latest updates on COVID-19. The Town will also be reaching out via a sent mailer, senior community newsletter as well as the Mount Airy Messenger.
To support the Federal and State goal of slowing the spread of current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and allow the Health Care Professionals time to properly cope and address, the Town of Mount Airy is instituting several preventative and precautionary actions.
Public Meetings: Town Hall will be closed for all public meetings during the months of March and April unless otherwise noted. This includes volunteer committee meetings. Town Council and Planning Commission meetings are under consideration. Please monitor our website at www.mountairymd.gov for updates.
Town Events: In an effort to take precautions and protect the health and safety of people from the coronavirus, events may either be postponed, canceled or rescheduled. Please check our website and Facebook page for the latest information.
Town Hall Services: All Town Hall services will remain open and operational; however, the public is encouraged to limit face to-face contact and use the “Drop Box” at Town Hall for bills or correspondence. The internal front window will be closed to visitors and a new pass through slot is being installed for those who must come inside of Town Hall.
Water Shut-Offs: There will be no water shut offs due to non-payment until further notice. If you may have difficulty paying your water bill, please contact Mary VanMetre at mvanmetre@mountairymd.gov or 301-829-1424 for assistance and more information.
Town Hall Staff: The Town of Mount Airy is instituting telework options for non-essential employees. A more liberal sick leave policy is in place. Some delays for non-essential services may be noted.
Police Department: The Police Department will be operating as normal until further notice.
Public Works Department: Services from our Public Works Department will not be interrupted. Trash and recycling pickups will remain on schedule.
“Mackenzie”: The caboose will be closed until further notice. The space does not allow for the 6 foot of separation suggested.
Senior Center: The Mount Airy Senior Center, managed by the Carroll County Commissioners, has been closed until further notice.
Drive-Up Testing: Carroll Hospital is offering drive-up testing for the COVID -19 virus to individuals who qualify via a pre-screening. The specimen collection tent is on the third floor of its parking garage. Individuals have to be screened first though their primary care providers. The tent outside the emergency room at Carroll Hospital is to treat individuals that are already showing symptoms and who are actually sick.
Volunteers: The Town is organizing a Volunteer Action Group. Please go to www.mountairymd.gov/covid19 to complete an online form to let us know how you can help, a separate online form to complete if you or someone you know needs help.
Civic Action: Bill Butts is organizing leaders from all our local civic groups to teleconference with the mayor to see what additional services and resources can be offered.
Restaurant Availability: As of 5:00 PM, March 16th, restaurants may only be open for carry out or delivery options by order of the Governor. See https://www.mountairymd.org/391/Mount-Airy-Restaurant-Updates for the Mount Airy restaurants that are open and what they are doing in light of the new ruling.
Park Facilities: The Town of Mount Airy is placing a hold on all park facility reservations until further notice. Reservations can be rescheduled or cancelled and refunded. A notice will be going out to those with reservations in the near future. Parks will not be closing, but citizens should not gather in groups greater than 10 people as recommended.
The Town will be monitoring this issue and our response will be constantly evolving. Again, our citizens and our employees’ health and safety are our #1 priority.
For additional health resources regarding COVID-19, please visit the following websites: the Center for Disease Control - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html or Maryland Department of Health (MDH) - https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/