The Montgomery County Commissioners in consultation with the Office of Public Health (OPH) announced that as of today, Tuesday, September 7, 2021, masking is now recommended outdoors in certain situations for the general public regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

It marks two weeks that Montgomery County has been at the high level of COVID-19 community transmission according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) COVID Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard.

In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

Montgomery County OPH recommends wearing a mask outdoors, regardless of vaccination status during high level of COVID-19 community transmission. Specifically, this means wearing a mask when outdoors if you cannot stay at least 6 feet apart from people who do not live in your household.

Whether indoors or outdoors, masking is not recommended when actively participating in sports practice, activity, or events. This includes actively participating in high-intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities in well-ventilated locations and where people are able to stay at least 6 feet apart.

Masking is recommended when people are not actively participating in sports practice, activities, or events, or high-intensity activities. This includes while on the bench, in locker rooms, and riding in team transportation.

The County is following CDC guidelines to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent the spread of the virus in our communities. This is in accordance with the County’s previously released masking guidance for the general public.

Montgomery County continues to recommend masks be worn at indoor public spaces. Masks are required for staff and visitors to all county buildings and facilities.

For all Montgomery County COVID-19 guidance, visit here.

Montgomery County OPH maintains that vaccination is the most important public health action to end the COVID-19 pandemic and strongly urges all Montgomery County residents to consider getting vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death and they also help reduce the spread of the virus in our communities.

Montgomery County continues to offer multiple vaccine clinics throughout the County at no cost to residents. A list of County-run clinics is located here.

Montgomery County OPH is now accepting appointments for a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals. For a list of qualifying conditions, click here.

For general COVID-19 questions or to register for the vaccine by phone, call the Montgomery County COVID-19 hotline at (833) 875-3967. General questions can also be emailed to covid19@montcopa.org.