Washington D.C., Aug 6, 2020 / 12:30 pm
A Maryland county has issued a second order preventing non-public schools from reopening for in-person instruction, despite a previous effort being immediately overridden by Gov. Larry Hogan.
"Reemphasizing the need to protect the health and safety of Montgomery County residents as well as parents, students, teachers and staff from the spread of COVID-19, County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles today issued a new Health Officer Directive and Order that continued to direct nonpublic schools in Montgomery County to remain closed for in-person instruction until at least Oct. 1, 2020," said a release from Montgomery County published on August 5.
Montgomery county is the state's most populous county and borders Washington, D.C. A previous Health Officer Directive and Order was published on the evening of Friday, July 31, and countermanded by the governor on Monday, August 3.
On Monday, Hogan called the initial attempt to prevent all non-public schools from opening "overly broad and inconsistent with the powers delegated to the county health officer."