• COVID-19 Information Portal: Information for cases by ZIP code and cases and deaths by race represent data that is available to MDH at this time. Data for ZIP codes with 7 or fewer cases is suppressed. MDH is continuously evaluating its data and reporting systems and will make updates as more data becomes available.
• COVID-19 Connect: This secure portal is open to all Maryland residents who were confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 and who are now recovered from their disease. It will be a place for you to share information, promote action and find support. We invite you to connect with us to share your experience. We appreciate your time and effort in doing so.
• Coronavirus Rumor Control: The purpose of this page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to the stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the state of Maryland’s (COVID-19) response.
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (as of 3/20)
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Older Adults (as of 3/20)
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions about Testing (as of 3/20)
• Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health (as of 3/20)
• If you have any questions, please visit your local Health Department office website, listed here. The numbers for 24 counties and Baltimore City and available language services are listed here.

• The Maryland Insurance Administration updates daily to help consumers with any questions they may have regarding insurance during this time. Please check MIA’s daily updates on Facebook, resources page, and general FAQs.
• If you have a health benefit plan regulated by the State of Maryland, you should not have to pay for the test. Health carriers must waive any cost-sharing for any visit to diagnose or test for COVID-19 regardless of the setting of the testing, COVID-19 vaccination, and laboratory fees related to COVID-19. Treatment will be covered but subject to cost-sharing. If you are uninsured, contact the Maryland Health Connection which has opened a special enrollment period until April 15.

If you are uninsured, please contact the Maryland Health Connection now. As part of the state’s overall response to the coronavirus, and in an effort to prioritize health and safety, the Maryland Health Connection opened a new special enrollment period for uninsured Marylanders. Free consumer assistance is available by calling 855-642-8572 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Deaf and hard of hearing use Relay. Help is available in more than 200 languages.

During the temporary school closures, Maryland schools and agencies are providing free emergency meals to students and children. The direct links to the meal sites of 24 counties and Baltimore City public schools with additional information are listed here.

• COVID-19 Educational Resources
• All public schools in Maryland will be closed through April 24, 2020.
• All Child Care Providers to be Closed by the end of the day Friday, March 27th Except Those Serving Essential Personnel
• During this State of Emergency, child care programs have been established by the State to serve only designated essential personnel. Click here for more information.

• Senior Call Check Program: Maryland is the first state in the country to start a free, opt-in, telephonic service to check on Maryland’s older residents, all across the state. As many of our older adults take measures to avoid crowds and limit contact with others due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), please be reminded of the Senior Call Check program. This program is free to MD residents 65+ and is a daily call to verify your well-being, at a time scheduled at your convenience. Register today or tell a loved one about this program! For more information, call 1-866-50-CHECK.
• Information from the CDC for long-term care facilities is available here.

• CLOSURE OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
  • Check if your business is essential or not from the lists below.
  • Governor Hogan’s Executive Order (what to be closed)
  • Federal Guidelines for Critical Infrastructure Sectors (essential)
  • Interpretive Guideline from the Office of Legal Counsel (essential)
  • Additional Guidance as of March 23 at 7:00 pm (essential)
  • Additional Guidance as of March 24 at 6:30 p.m. (essential)
  • If you have a question of whether or not your business is essential, please contact secretary.commerce@maryland.gov.
  • If you have other questions pertaining to essential or non-essential businesses, please email psector@maryland.gov, which is monitored by the Maryland Emergency Management team.

• Sales & Use Taxes are NOT due March 20th. March 20th would have been the due date for Sales & Use Tax payments by businesses. THIS DUE DATE IS NOW June 1. Businesses who paid their Maryland Sales & Use Taxes for March early may request a refund of their payment by emailing taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov or by calling 410-260-4020. Read more here.
• Maryland business and individual income taxpayers will be given a 90-day extension for tax payments. No interest or penalty for late payments will be imposed if 2019 tax payments are made by July 15, 2020. See 90-day extension for tax payments for more information, or reach out to taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov with questions.

• Workers Cannot be Terminated: Guarantees that Marylanders cannot be terminated from their jobs because they have been isolated or quarantined. Unemployment Benefits will allow the Secretary of Labor to extend unemployment benefits to workers who cannot work because they are quarantined, at risk for exposure, or to care for a family member with COVID-19.

• Employer & Worker Assistance

  • The Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Labor and Industry enforces the Maryland Health Working Families Act, also known as Safe and Sick Leave, which may be useful for employees who need to take off from work due to COVID-19. Learn more about the Maryland Health Working Families Act here, or email ssl.assistance@maryland.gov.
  • If a business experiences a temporary or permanent layoff, Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance’s Bulk Claim Services can open unemployment insurance claims for all affected employees. To determine if a business is eligible, please visit our Bulk Claims Services Frequently Asked Questions page. If a business is eligible, they should contact a Claims Representative by emailing UI.BulkClaim@maryland.gov. For additional information, visit the Department of Labor’s COVID-19 FAQ page.
  • Labor’s Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance is available to help Maryland business owners find timely and effective solutions to issues, so they can go about running their companies. They can be contacted by emailing osbra.inquiry@maryland.gov.
  • During these uncertain times, as businesses transition to remote work and make changes to technology, we are more vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks than ever before. To assist, CAMI is providing an incident hotline for businesses.

  Licensing & Permitting

  • According to the Governor’s Executive Order, all licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations issued by the state, its agencies or any political subdivision that would expire during the current state of emergency will be extended until at least the 30th day after the state of emergency is lifted.
  • Labor’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (O&P) is temporarily extending license expiration dates until May 1, which is subject to being extended as the response to the coronavirus situation evolves. They can be contacted by emailing dlopl-labor@maryland.gov.
  • Businesses that are licensed and regulated by Labor’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation can email DLFRFinReg-LABOR@maryland.gov with any questions or concerns they may have about licensing requirements.

• To preserve the health and safety of customers and employees, all MDOT MVA branch offices and the Customer Service Center are closed. This operational change, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is effective immediately and until further notice. MDOT MVA’s eStore and self-service kiosks are still available.
• Governor Larry Hogan has ordered an extension of all driver’s and business licenses, identification cards, permits and registrations that expire or are eligible for renewal during the state of emergency. As a result, they will not expire until the 30th day after the state of emergency has been lifted.

• Our hotlines are operational. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, you may have to leave a message but you will get a response as quickly as possible.
• No Price-Gouging for food, fuel, medicine, cleaning products and other essential supplies.

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service.

Victim Resources During COVID-19 Outbreak: This list of resources – hotlines, help and support, legal services, crime victims’ compensation and assistance, guidelines for transitional shelters and houses, and pet assistance resources – has been compiled by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. This page will be updated periodically with new resources and information.

For more information, visit this directory.

COVID-19: Recommended Preventative Practices and FAQs for Faith-based and Community Leaders

Free tools for first responders- Baltimore Community ToolBank is being proactive and inclusive by offering needed supplies to first responders.

For up-to-date information on how nonprofits can navigate the COVID-19 crisis, visit Maryland Nonprofits’ What Nonprofits Need to Know About Coronavirus. This page includes advice on how to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program SBA loan, Maryland-specific resources, federal guidance, webinars, financial resources, advocacy actions, and health resources relevant for nonprofit organizations, staff, board members and volunteers. Receive the latest news when you sign up for updates from Maryland Nonprofits.

If you have other resources for Marylanders, please contact gosv.md@maryland.gov to contribute to this page.

Governor Larry Hogan announced that Maryland has activated the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, a force of dedicated and trained medical volunteers who are ready to assist in a public health emergency. We are urging Marylanders to sign up at mdresponds.health.maryland.gov.

For more information, visit mdresponds.health.maryland.gov

Maryland Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and the Adventist Community Services (ACS) have partnered to coordinate the collection and dissemination of these vital supplies. These efforts are in support of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies to provide drop-off sites for medical, cleaning supplies donations.

“I would like to thank the voluntary organizations active in disaster for assisting Marylanders in this time of need,” said MEMA Executive Director Russ Strickland. “This network of donations centers allows the community to help those on the front lines of fighting this virus. We could not respond to the challenges of COVID-19 without a whole of community effort.”

Donate Specific Items:

• UNUSED (in original packaging):
  • N95 Masks (with or without valve)
  • KN95 Masks
  • Protective Face Shields/Goggles
  • Nitrile Gloves
  • Hospital Gown
• UNOPENED:
  • Bleach
  • Disinfection Cleaners
  • Sprays
  • Hand Soap
  • Hand Sanitizers
  • Wipes
• Tyvek Suits
• Rubber Boots
• Handmade Masks*

*Handmade masks should adhere to CDC guidelines at cdc. gov.

Cash, food, and donations not on the list of specific items WILL NOT be accepted at these locations. Marylanders are encouraged to send other donations to local nonprofits and churches.

Drop off locations are open:

• Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The four donation drop off locations in Maryland are:

• Ellicott City: 3291 St. John‘s Lane, Ellicott City, Md.. 21042
  • (240) 342-6160
• Cambridge: 3105 Mallard Court., Cambridge, Md. 21613
  • (410) 357-1464
  • Visible from Rt. 50. Drop off in the parking circle.
• Hagerstown: 10375 Retreat Way, Hagerstown, MD 21742
  • Mt. Aetna Retreat Center
  • (240) 347-0575
  • May also be listed on GPS as 21905 Mt. Aetna Road
• Silver Spring: 15930 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905
  • (301) 678-3620
  • Corner of Route 198 and Good Hope Road. Entrance right off of Good Hope Road, lower parking lot.

Donation Facility Safety Procedures:

• ACS Volunteers will adhere to social distancing and wear appropriate protective equipment.
• Donations are received in a designated location.
• All items are inspected, inventoried, and distributed.

For more information email ngs.mema@maryland.gov. Visit here for a shareable link featuring the flyers in English and Spanish with image descriptions.

The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.

For more information, visit here.

The Maryland Food Bank is working to ensure there is an adequate supply of food available at pantries and community organizations across the state for the remainder of this public health crisis. To meet this need, the Maryland Food Bank desperately needs help packing “Back Up Boxes” containing 30 pounds of shelf-stable, nutritious foods.

Can you help? If so, go here to sign-up as an individual. Or even better, go here to organize a group of volunteers.

Read the full letter by Thomas Higdon, the Volunteer Program Manager of the Maryland Food Bank for more safety information: Maryland Food Bank Call for Volunteers.

For more information, visit mdfoodbank.org.

This organization provides support and safety-net services to seniors—a population that needs extra support during this crisis. Volunteer by packing or delivering meals to Marylanders in need.

For more information, visit here.

As schools close to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the State of Maryland is working to ensure that students have all the meals they need. No Kid Hungry is providing additional support nationwide.

For more information, visit here.

Thank you for reaching out to respond to the shortage of PPE. The best way you can meet this critical need is by reaching out to your local volunteer connector or disaster management services directly.

Handmade donations can also be accepted by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. Learn more above “2. Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) – Donate Supplies”. 

Spotlight: Click to see an example of how Anne Arundel Medical Center is engaging volunteers, and ensuring the safety and protection of those who volunteer and those who use the PPE with step-by-step instructions. Click to see the Center for Disease Control’s DIY cloth face covering instructions.

Please keep in mind an influx of unexpected or unnecessary volunteers and donations can make the process even more difficult. Learn where and when your skills will be needed from your local volunteer connector, DO NOT self-deploy. Discuss with volunteer organizers how your safety, and those you serve, will be met.

Register for volunteer opportunities with the Disaster Aid Response Team (DART), here.

Donate and serve wisely to help disaster victims. Visit the Maryland Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) for a list of private and nonprofit agencies active in disaster relief, here.

The State of Maryland encourages everyone to contribute wisely to disaster recovery efforts. Consider the following before you donate goods, money, or your time:

• Financial contributions are preferred.
• Cash donations help to avoid the labor and expense of sorting, packing, transporting, and distributing donated goods, and voluntary relief agencies use cash to meet victims’ specific needs more quickly.
• Relief agencies prefer the versatility of cash donations; however, some have the infrastructure in place to store and distribute donated goods. To prevent waste, donations of goods should be made only to agencies that have requested specific items.
• Donors should be wary of anyone who claims that “everything” is needed. Many groups have been disappointed that their efforts and the goods they collected were not appreciated. A community hit by disaster, however, does not have the time, manpower, or money to dispose of unneeded donations. Get precise information before collecting any donated goods.
• In a community struggling to respond to and recover from a disaster, an influx of unexpected or unneeded volunteers and donations can make the process even more difficult. Before traveling to the disaster area to help, learn where and when your skills will be needed from your local volunteer connector. Discuss with volunteer organizers how your needs for food, water, and shelter will be met while you are volunteering.

This guideline is not for individuals, but for organizations.

Volunteering for Essential Services IS allowed to continue under Governor Hogan’s Stay-at-Home Order, as specific exclusions include “any non-profit organization or facility providing essential services to low income persons, including, without limitation, homeless shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens.“ More information, here.