AFTER DISPUTE OVER PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COUNTY STILL UNCLEAR ON ITS AUTHORITY TO MAKE CLOSURES

It’s unclear what authority Montgomery County has to make broad school closures if COVID-19 conditions get worse, Emergency Management Director Dr. Earl Stoddard said at a county council meeting Tuesday. 

On July 31, Montgomery County was launched into a week-long back and forth with the state when County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles issued an order for private schools to remain virtual until at least Oct. 1. Gov. Larry Hogan strongly disapproved and issued an amended emergency order to make it clear that Montgomery County did not have the authority to make a blanket closure order for nonpublic schools.

In response to Hogan’s order, Gayles put out a second order reaffirming his first directive for private schools to stay virtual. The state health department came back with a statement saying it is policy that nonpublic schools can’t be closed in a blanket order. Finally, Gayles withdrew his directive one week later on Aug. 7.

At the council meeting Tuesday, Stoddard said Hogan’s order leaves the county in a challenging place...

...On Tuesday, Gayles said there are 32 active COVID-19 investigations involving school settings, and about 18 include a positive case or confirmed high risk of/close contact to a positive case...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/after-dispute-over-private-schools-county-still-unclear-on-its-authority-to-make-closures/