ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Larry Hogan announced new statewide enforcement efforts including "high visibility compliance units" and a hotline to report unsafe facilities and activities.
Gov. Hogan announced that in addition to traditional efforts of ramping up drunk driving patrols ahead of Thanksgiving, the state is launching an all-hands-on-deck compliance, education, and enforcement operation.
Beginning on Thanksgiving-eve, state troopers will support local authorities with compliance checks, with a focus on educating the public about existing orders and protocols, preventing super-spreading events, and assisting in enforcement actions when necessary.
Effective immediately, Maryland State Police will be operating a 24/7 phone line and email address to support local compliance teams in the field with questions regarding existing orders and enforcement.
They are also expanding its COVID-19 Compliance and Coordination Center and deploying ‘High Visibility Compliance Units’ across MD.
Additional troopers will be assigned in every county to work in partnership with locals to investigate any reports of violations of state law.
Maryland State Police will be ramping up their COVID Prevention Hotline as well.
Marylanders who see unlawful behavior are encouraged to report it by calling (833) 979-2266 or sending an email to Prevent.Covid@maryland.gov.
On Nov. 25 at 5 p.m., Marylanders will get a wireless emergency alert to their cell phones to remind them of critical COVID-19 prevention measures and provide info about state and local law enforcement actions.
The state is also launching a unified public health campaign with PSAs running on local TV and radio.
Gov. Hogan reminded Marylanders that both federal and state health officials are strongly advising against holiday travel, and that celebrating is safer if limited to members of your immediate household.
Maryland has had 19 straight days with more than 1,000 new cases of the virus, including another 1,658 new cases in the past 24 hours.
COVID hospitalizations have also increased by 80% over the past two weeks.
As of Monday, Maryland’s statewide 7-day positivity rate is 6.88% and 1,276 COVID patients are currently hospitalized with 289 patients are in the ICU, the highest level since June 15.
