ANNAPOLIS, MD—With the Delta variant accounting for nearly all of the new COVID-19 cases in the State of Maryland and an increase in infections among unvaccinated Marylanders, Governor Larry Hogan today announced new vaccination protocols for state employees who work in congregate settings.
Effective September 1, employees in 48 state facilities will be required to show proof of vaccination, or adhere to strict face covering requirements and submit to regular, ongoing COVID-19 testing.
“We know that right now the Delta variant accounts for nearly 100% of the new cases currently being sequenced in Maryland and it accounts for 93% of all the cases nationwide,” said Governor Hogan. “We also understand that it may cause more severe illness than earlier variants. We do need to take the Delta variant very seriously.”
Watch today’s press conference.
View the slides from today’s press conference.
New vaccination protocols will apply to state employees in the following agencies:
- Department of Health (11 state health care facilities)
- Department of Juvenile Services (12 facilities)
- Department of Public Safety and Corrections (6 detention centers and 18 correctional facilities)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (Charlotte Hall Veterans Home)
State employees in these facilities will need to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by September 1. Anyone attempting to provide false proof of vaccination will be subject to disciplinary action. Read the Maryland Department of Health order.
Nursing Homes Strongly Encouraged to Institute Vaccination Requirements. Governor Hogan called on the private operators of the state’s nursing homes to institute similar vaccination requirements for their employees. If nursing home operators do not act, state health officials are prepared to take further actions if necessary.
“Just Get The Damn Vaccine.” Governor Hogan urged Marylanders who refuse to get vaccinated to reconsider their decision, citing the fact that nearly everyone currently hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 in Maryland is unvaccinated.
“Please, just get the damn vaccine,” said Governor Hogan. “The vaccines are free, safe, they work, and they are widely available everywhere across the state at thousands of distribution points, including hundreds of pharmacies and primary care providers.”
Mask Guidance. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) continues to strongly recommend that unvaccinated individuals wear a face covering in indoor settings and situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Businesses and other workplaces may set their own policies to protect public health as they deem appropriate.
Post-Vaccination Data Dashboard. MDH has added post-vaccination infection data to its COVID-19 data dashboard. To date, state health officials have identified 3,836 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated Maryland residents, which represents less than 0.12% of Maryland residents who are fully vaccinated.
Vaccines. Marylanders can get a free COVID-19 vaccine at any of the thousands of distribution points across the state, including hundreds of pharmacies and primary care providers, by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or by calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).
