After 51-Day Shutdown, Indoor Dining Resumes In Prince George's

Jacob Baumgart
·2 min read

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Indoor dining may resume Friday in Prince George's County. Restaurants will still be limited to a quarter capacity, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced at a Monday press conference.

Alsobrooks closed indoor dining on Dec. 9, 2020 after the county's coronavirus infections skyrocketed. The temporary ban was originally scheduled to last until Jan. 16.

Indoor dining will now resume 13 days after originally planned. Outdoor dining was permitted at half capacity throughout the indoor ban.

Alsobrooks said the county's declining positivity played a large role in her decision. The positivity rate dipped below 10 percent on Jan. 18, which was a feat that hadn't been accomplished in more than three weeks.

The positivity rate has since fallen even further to 8.69 percent. That's the lowest clip since Nov. 26, 2020.

"We are thankfully seeing now a trend in the right direction," Alsobrooks said. "This is still not ideal, but we are really happy that we've seen it coming back below 10 percent."

Though customers can head back inside, Alsobrooks asked Prince Georgians to remain vigilant. She encouraged mask usage, social distance and hand washing.

"This virus is still very much a part of our community," the county executive said. "I want to caution our residents and restaurant owners to do everything you can so that we prevent the spread of COVID-19."

To see when you'll be eligible for the inoculation, read Patch's explainer. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot. Catch up on the latest coronavirus infection and vaccination metrics in Prince George's County by heading to our latest numbers update.

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This article originally appeared on the Bowie Patch