COVID-19 Update: We Must Not Grow Weary
Dear Prince Georgians:
As we continue to monitor our COVID-19 data and metrics daily, we have unfortunately identified a few concerning trends. Similar to other parts of our State, we have seen a slight uptick in cases, particularly following the 4th of July holiday weekend. I want to remind Prince Georgians that now is not the time grow weary, as we must all continue to take necessary precautions to keep ourselves and others safe.
I want to thank our residents for doing a great job overall complying with our mandates to wear face coverings and to physically distance while in establishments. Due to our collective efforts as a community, we have made tremendous progress to slow the spread of this virus in our County. However, we also know that some people have grown weary and that some businesses have been lax in compliance and enforcement.
That is why last week, I announced our COVID-19 Ambassador Compliance Team, which performs unannounced visits to businesses to ensure that owners, employees and patrons are in compliance. The first visit offers an educational opportunity on the requirements and a warning. The second visit to a business that is not in compliance results in a $1,000 fine, and a corrective compliance form must be submitted. Finally, a third visit to a business that is not in compliance results in that business being closed until it has a plan in place to come into compliance and our team has completed a reopening inspection.
While I know it is difficult, we need everyone to continue taking all necessary precautions, as we do not yet have a vaccine or cure for this virus. Please remember to wear a face covering at any business or recreational establishment and while on public transportation. In addition, please remember to practice physical distancing, maintaining at least six feet of distance between yourself and others. If the data tells us that we must take additional actions to slow the spread of this virus, we will not hesitate to do so to protect the safety and well-being of Prince Georgians.
As we continue moving forward, we are also able to continue restoring key County Government services. I am excited to announce that curbside bulky trash collections will officially resume Monday, August 3. Residents are able to start scheduling appointments now by calling 311 or by clicking here. Our 311 Call Center will even operate extended hours on July 25, July 26, August 1 and August 2 to assist with scheduling bulky trash appointments and logging resident concerns of businesses not complying with COVID-19 safety protocols. More information is included below.
In addition, your County Government continues to move forward with implementing new programs and services that will support our community. For example, our Office of Central Services is preparing for the pilot release of the Green Book, which will support small and minority-owned businesses in navigating the procurement process. We will be sure to keep you updated on these new programs as they become available.
While the past few months have been difficult, I know that by working together, we will continue to confront the challenges that we face and build an even brighter future for Prince George’s County.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
County Executive to Provide COVID-19 Video Update
On Thursday, July 30, County Executive Alsobrooks will release a COVID-19 Video Update on the Government’s COVID-19 response. Residents are invited to submit questions related to COVID-19 or the County’s reopening process to be answered by County officials during the video update. To submit a question, or to register to receive a link to the video update when it is available, please click here.
Curbside Bulky Trash Resumes August 3 / Coleccion de basura voluminosa reanuda el 3 de agosto
It’s back! Residents are now able to schedule residential bulky trash collections by contacting 311 or online here. For more information, visit environment.mypgc.us or contact 311. Modified bulky trash drop-off collections will continue in the nine councilmanic districts until August 1, 2020. Locations for July 23 – August 1 can be found online here.
The Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill will reopen to residential customers starting August 3. Services already available at the Landfill include the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Acceptance Sites, open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM ONLY. Other waste collection services available to residents include the Brown Station Road Convenience Center and Missouri Avenue Solid Waste Acceptance Recycling Center. Visit environment.mypgc.us for a list of hours and items accepted at those sites.
Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Enters Phase 1 of Reopening
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System entered Phase 1 of its reopening on Tuesday, July 21 with curbside service at 16 branches. Customers may place new hold requests on physical materials through the Library’s online catalog. Once holds are ready for pickup, customers will receive an email notification with an invitation to book a curbside appointment.
Curbside service appointments are available at designated branches on Tuesdays from 1:00-8:00 PM, Wednesdays – Fridays from 1:00-6:00 PM, and Saturdays from 1:00-5:00 PM. Face masks are required for all customers, including when in their vehicles at the curbside service appointment. Customers may call “Ask a Librarian” at 240-455-5451 during the curbside service hours for assistance with accounts, requesting materials, and curbside bookings.
Buildings remain closed to the public and in-person programs, outreach, passport services, and meeting room use remain suspended until further notice. Materials checked out prior to the COVID-19 closure on March 16 are now due on September 1. Visit pgcmls.info/reopening for more information, pgcmls.info/curbside for detailed instructions about curbside service, and see the Library’s video about reopening here.
Prince George’s County Circuit Court Gradual Reopening
The Prince George’s County Circuit Court began their gradual reopening to the public on July 20, 2020. Some services resumed by appointment only, but most proceedings will still be held virtually. For more information, visit their website.
How to Report COVID-19 Business Safety Protocol Violations / Protocolos de seguridad en negocios
We know our County businesses are working hard to provide services to our residents and comply with COVID-19 safety restrictions. However, if you see a business that is in violation of COVID-19 safety protocols, such as enforcing face covering or physical distancing requirements, you can report that concern by calling 311 or emailing covidcompliance@co.pg.md.us. Our COVID-19 Ambassador Compliance Team will perform a surprise visit to that establishment based on the report, following the enforcement guidelines we have laid out.
COVID-19 Testing
The Prince George’s County Health Department offers free COVID-19 tests for individuals with or without symptoms that have been exposed to or suspected to have been exposed to a COVID-19-positive person. Patients do not need an appointment or a doctor’s prescription to get tested. All County-run testing sites accommodate testing for those in a car or on foot.
Call the coronavirus hotline at 301-883-6627 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM if you have questions about the County’s testing program. Additionally, the Health Department has a testing site locator that shows all the testing sites throughout the County, including those operated by our County Health Department. Visit their website to learn more.
County News For You
Update to PGCPS Summer Meals Program
Prince George’s County Public Schools’ annual Summer Food Service Program began on June 29 and will run through August 13. Recently, PGCPS announced that several sites would be closed due to low participation. To learn more about this resource for students and view a list of updated sites, please click here.
311 Call Center Extended Hours
The 311 Call Center will operate under extended hours for bulky trash collection scheduling and business compliance intake on the following days: Saturday, July 25, Sunday, July 26, Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2. The Call Center will take calls from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on each of those days.
The Office of Community Relations Presents “What’s the 311?”
What’s the 311?! Do you really know how your government operates? Join the Office of Community Relations and 311 on the Go! every Tuesday at 12:30 PM to learn about your government services and resources. Each week during the series, they will feature various County agencies and the services they provide. Follow the Office of Community Relations on IG (@pgc_communityrelations) and Twitter (@PGCCommunity) for more information on the What’s the 311? series and other upcoming events.
Prince George’s County Green Book Coming Soon
The Office of Central Services is committed to bringing County suppliers the Green Book in August. Included in the Green Book will be planned acquisitions for the first quarter FY21 with updates occurring each quarter. Suppliers will be able to view the area of focus for each participating agency, as well as what types of services and products that agencies have not been able to find supplies for.
The Green Book will be housed on a one-stop shopping portal called The Prince George’s County Business Highway, “Driving Small Business Opportunities”. It will link suppliers immediately to information related to vendor registration, certification, contract opportunities, and variety of online tools and templates to expand the capacity of suppliers to do business with Prince George’s County Government. Learn more through the Office of Central Services’ website.
Prince George’s County Planning Department Speaker Series: Pandemics, Protests and Planning
The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will host an online Speaker Series event Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:30 AM, titled Pandemics, Protests and Planning: Understanding the Intersection Between Health, Racial Equity and Urban Planning. The panel discussion will explore the role that urban planning has played in exacerbating health and racial inequities in African-American communities and ways that urban planning can be used as a tool to improve these challenges.
To register for the virtual speaker series event, please click here. For more information, click here or contact Brittney Drakeford at brittney.drakeford@ppd.mncppc.org.
The Elephant We Don’t See Diversity Dialogue
The Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System continue their “The Elephant We Don’t See Diversity Dialogue” this Tuesday, July 28 at 7:00 PM when they will discuss the book What If? Short Stories to Spark Inclusion and Diversity Dialogue. Registration for that free event can be found here.
Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary Celebration
Help celebrate 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act by joining the Department of Family Services and the Commission for Individuals with Disabilities on Saturday, July 25 for a virtual celebration at 2:00 PM. The theme for this event, “Celebrating Achievements of the Disabilities Community of Prince George’s County,” will provide information and highlight accomplishments of persons with disabilities. Click here for more information.
2020 Census
Census Completion & Drive-Up Distribution Event
Join the Office of Community Relations (OCR) on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 AM to 12 noon at College Park Church of the Nazarene for a Census Completion and Drive-Up Distribution Event. There will be free meals, coffee and doughnuts, backpacks, PPE, and Census swag items available on a first come, first served basis and, most importantly, the opportunity to complete your Census on the spot!
If you’re unable to join OCR for this fun event, you can complete your Census online or by phone at 844-330-2020.
Step Up, Step Out for 2020 Census
Show us what you’ve got! Enter your video for “Step Up, Step Out for 2020 Census,” a virtual block show and talent PSA competition. The contest is open to undergraduate Greek letter organizations and college/university student organizations. Learn more at StepUp4Census.org.
Prince George’s Proud Moments
County Resident One of Three Finalists for NHL Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award
We are Prince George’s Proud of Alexandria Briggs-Blake who is one of three finalists for the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. The award recognizes an individual who has worked to make his or her community, culture, or society better through hockey. Ms. Briggs-Blake is being honored for her efforts with the Tucker Road Ducks, which includes helping raise funds to rebuild the ice arena that had been devastated by a fire and providing equipment for players who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
Now, she needs our help. Voting is underway to decide who will ultimately win this national award. To cast a vote for Ms. Briggs-Blake, please click here. Let’s help one of our own Prince Georgians win this national award!
In The News
Children’s National Prince George’s County Officially Opens
Children’s National Prince George’s County officially opened on Wednesday, July 22 in Woodmore Town Center, providing critical access to medical care for children and families in our County. This pandemic has shown us the need for greater access to quality healthcare, and this new facility will support our efforts to bridge that gap. See the story from WJLA here.
PGCPS Students Featured on Local News for Census PSAs
Our Prince George’s County Public Schools students are getting creative in helping get the word out about the 2020 Census. We are proud of the work they have done to show that Prince Georgians are truly Proud to be Counted! Check out this story from NBC4 about the PSAs that our students created.