Provisions, including face coverings, will remain in effect until January 23, 2022.

Prince George's County has made the call to extend COVID-19 protocols into the new year. WTOP reported the county council voted 9-0 Monday to continue enforcing prevention measures including face coverings and social distancing in efforts to reduce the virus' spread. The provisions, which were set to expire on December 9, will now be in effect through January 23, 2022.

It is the 15th time the emergency resolution has been renewed by the council since the pandemic began.

"Additional restrictions will be reinstated if the relevant metrics show measurable increase in the spread of the COVID virus and that more restrictive measures are needed to save lives and to protect the public safety and welfare," the resolution states.

Masks are to be worn, regardless of vaccination status, by residents over the age of 2 in any indoor public space; social distancing will be required in the case of large crowds. The mandate covers all public places, including retailers and restaurants. Residents who are not yet vaccinated are "strongly encouraged" to get the shot and continue wearing masks when indoors. The mask mandate was briefly rolled back last April but has steadily remained in effect since August, following the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant.

While the county maintains "substantial" community spread—Delta remains the area's most common strain—local data displays a high number of vaccinations in the county; over 75% of residents (ages 18+) are fully vaccinated against the virus, while 87% have acquired at least one dose, according to CDC data. As of November 15, the county maintains a 2.4% positivity rate.

With the threat of the Omnicron variant looming, the CDC urged Americans Monday to seek out booster shots and get tested immediately in the case of symptoms. Dr. Ernest Carter of the county health department told WTOP residents should "stay vigilant" through proper preventative measures, such as social distancing and wearing face masks, particularly as Americans enter the holiday season.

You can read the resolution in full here.

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