This page provides updates on known closures and changes to hours of operation for County government, Towns, other government agencies, non-profits & community services, schools, and businesses. If a specific entity is not listed, we are currently unaware of changes in their operations. If you would like to report a closure or change in operations, it must come directly from the organization via email to [email protected].
General / All Public Gatherings
By order of the Governor
Effective Friday July 31st the State of Maryland is expanding their mask order. Wearing face masks or face coverings is now required in both Indoor and outdoor public areas.
Retail stores and some personal services will reopen with limits on capacity and strong safety precautions.
Houses of Worship can resume services with safety measures; outdoor services are strongly encouraged.
Continue to practice physical distancing and wear masks in all public areas.
Businesses
By order of the Governor
NURSING HOMES, ASSISTED LIVING & LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
Per Maryland Department of Health guidelines, all long-term care facilities are open for limited visitation All individuals entering long-term care facilities should be screened and will be denied entry if exhibiting respiratory symptoms or have possible exposure to COVID-19. Individual facilities are establishing processes to allow for remote communication with residents.
Caroline County Government
By order of the County Commissioners
EMERGENCY SERVICES
The main office, 911 Center, and EMS stations are closed to the general public and visitors are strictly prohibited in all DES locations. Eligible employees are required to telework where possible. Staff and vendors, including allied agency staff, needing entry to any departmental location may be subject to screening for symptoms of COVID-19 and may be denied entry.
CORRECTIONS
All visitation is suspended until the statewide declaration of emergency is lifted by the Governor. All programs, classes, and worship services are cancelled until the statewide declaration of emergency is lifted by the Governor. Eligible employees are required to telework where possible. Staff, vendors, and law enforcement officers may be subject to screening for symptoms of COVID-19 and may be denied entry.
ALL OTHER DEPARTMENTS (County Commissioners Office, Planning & Codes, Tax Office, Finance Office, Human Resources, Economic Development, Information Technology, Office of Law, Recreation & Parks, Public Works, Purchasing & Procurement) Are open to the public with additional screening procedures: July 20th
Effective Thursday, Monday July 6th the Caroline County Tax Office, will be open to the public. Employees are expected to telework where possible, unless assigned to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Town Governments
By order of individual towns’ governing bodies
TOWN OF DENTON
The Town Office lobby is closed until further notice. Please use the drive through window or drop box (located on the 2nd Street side of the building, to the left of the entry door) to pay bills. Call-in appointments may be made to meet with various departments. Visit the Town’s website for phone numbers and additional details.
TOWN OF FEDERALSBURG
Operating with normal office hours but closed to the public. All public business will be conducted by phone (410-754-8173) or email. All payments must be made by mail or in the secure drop box located at Town Hall. Updates on meetings will be posted on the Town of Federalsburg Facebook page.
TOWN OF GOLDSBORO
Office is closed to the public. Please contact office staff by phone, 410-482-8805, or email [email protected].
TOWN OF GREENSBORO
Operating with normal office hours but closed to the public. All public business will be conducted by phone or email. All payments must be made by mail, phone (credit card), or in the secure drop box located at Town Hall. Credit card fees will be waived while this policy is in effect.
TOWN OF PRESTON
Offices are closed to the public. Some staff will be working remotely; the Town Manager can be reached at [email protected] or leave a message at 410-673-7929.
TOWN OF RIDGELY
Operating with normal office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) but closed to the public. All public business will be conducted by phone (410.634.2177). All payments and permit applications must be made online or in the secure drop box located in front of the Town Office. Additional information: English | Espanol
State Government Departments & Agencies
By order of the Governor
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The building is open to the public via appointment only. Many forms are available online and can be printed or emailed. Visit the Caroline Health Department website for contact info for each division.
CAROLINE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT
Caroline County District Court is operating under regular hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, but is closed to the public from March 16 through July 20th. The Court is only conducting emergency hearings, such as bail reviews, at this time. A drop box has been provided at the building’s entrance for District Court payments and paper filings.
CLERK’S OFFICE
Office is open to the public. The office is staffed.
MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION (MVA)
All branches are open by appointment only. Online services and 24/7 kiosks are still available.
REGISTER OF WILLS
Is open to the public.
STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
The Office of the State’s Attorney for Caroline County is located in the Circuit Court Building which is open to the public. Hours of operation 8:30-4:30 M-F. Someone should be in the office to answer any calls.
Non-Profits & Community Services
CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
All library locations are open to the public and doing curbside visit’s, in cooperation with State and County efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For updates and information on how to access e-books, streaming movies, and other electronic resources, go to www.carolib.org or the Library’s Facebook page.
CAROLINE SENIOR CENTER
Open to the public.
DELMARVA COMMUNITY TRANSIT (DCT)
Beginning Monday, March 23rd, until the MD State of Emergency is ended, the following changes will be in effect for Caroline County Delmarva Community Transit (DCT) bus routes:
The 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th laps on Route 5 are temporarily cancelled. All other routes remain intact.
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All riders will be asked four screening questions provided by the CDC before boarding any DCT vehicle.
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Anyone who answers yes to any of the questions will not be able to board.
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Riders are asked to use hand sanitizer on their hands upon boarding and if they don’t have any the drivers can provide while supplies last.
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DCT is strongly suggesting riders sit one person per two-person seat row.
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Extra buses will be provided on routes where one bus is usually filled to capacity.
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All buses are completely sanitized daily.
Riders needing trips at other times are encouraged to call their local dispatch offices and individual transport may be a possibility.
MID-SHORE WIC OFFICE
The program is still in operation, although offices are closed. Participants can call the regular office number (410.479.8060). Staff is checking messages hourly during business hours.
SAINT MARTIN’S MINISTRIES SHELTER & BARN
Staffing and transportation services are limited. Food distribution remains open and will be provided to clients in their cars. Clients may call for extra food and to make appointments if needed. The thrift store is closed to the public. Requests for donated clothes and household items will be handled on an individual basis. Call 410-634-2537 for additional information.
SAMARITAN HOUSE (DENTON)
Closed for two weeks effective March 14, 2020. Will be open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for food box pickups for clients signed up for the food box program.
Schools
CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Starting March 25, 2021
In-person students in 4th through 12th grades will begin four-day a week in school instruction.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance for schools, reducing the amount of physical distancing recommended between students to three (3) feet. This new guidance gives districts the flexibility to have more students in schools, and enables CCPS to increase the number of in-person learners immediately following Spring Break.
Visit the CCPS COVID-19 Information Page for the latest updates.
CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE
Open and operating on normal semester schedule
Please visit Chesapeake College’s website for additional information, including specific building closures, student services, events, etc.