Staff Preparing Plans and Facilities as County Eases Some Restrictions
City of Rockville facilities remain closed to the public as city staff plans and prepares facilities for the eventual return of employees and the public.
Opening dates for specific city facilities will be announced as they become available.
Montgomery County officials announced Thursday that the county’s first phase of recovery will begin at 6 a.m. Monday, June 1 after the county achieved critical benchmarks to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
According to the county, Phase I allows more latitude for businesses and activities, under specified guidelines. That will mean some limited changes to retail, restaurant and manufacturing operations; outdoor youth sports and camps; child care; and personal care services. For more details about this first phase, visit www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=25367.
The Mayor and Council are monitoring progress toward reducing the spread of COVID-19 and will adjust city operations accordingly, while continuing to prioritize the safety of employees and community members. That includes continuing to conduct online meetings, with updates from the city’s emergency manager during each meeting, and weekly Friday updates about the response to the pandemic.
Throughout this first phase of recovery, community members should still follow best practices for staying safe, including wearing face coverings while in public, maintaining physical distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals, and refraining from gatherings of more than 10 people. Following these best practices and reducing the spread of COVID-19 is a critical step toward moving the county and city into the second phase of recovery and further easing restrictions.
Rockville employees are conducting as much of the city’s operations as possible, while maintaining recommended social distancing guidelines, to ensure the health and safety of city staff and the community. Employees who are able are continuing to telework.
Essential city services continue, including regular trash and recycling collection, water treatment, street repair, water and sewer system repair, virtual building code and fire inspections, utility- and public works-related permits and inspections, animal control, traffic signal repair, park maintenance and trash collection, facility maintenance, and police patrols and emergency response.
The Mayor and Council will hold an online meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, June 1. Meetings are broadcast live on Rockville 11 and via livestreaming at www.rockvillemd.gov/rockville11, and are available on demand at www.rockvillemd.gov/videoondemand a day after each meeting. Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter for the meeting agenda, staff reports and information about how to participate in Community Forum or a public hearing.
City events, in-person classes, programs, rentals and activities remain canceled. That includes the cancellation in June of the Suds & Soles 5K and Rockville’s annual pride celebration, as well as Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration, which was scheduled for Saturday, July 4 at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in King Farm.
The City of Rockville’s tennis and pickleball courts, the dog park at King Farm, and all parks and trails are open. Playgrounds, athletic fields, bathrooms, fitness stations, basketball, Bankshot and volleyball courts remain closed until further notice.
For the latest city-related information, follow the City of Rockville on social media (Nextdoor, Facebook and Twitter), visit the website at www.rockvillemd.gov, or sign up for the city’s COVID-19 newsletter at mailchi.mp/rockvillemd/covid19updates.
For general inquiries about city operations, call 240-314-8106.