December 14, 2020
Media Contact:
Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-3536
Charles Gischlar, Deputy Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-6491
Maryland Department of Health to host #MasksOnMaryland Day, distribute free logo face masks at Annapolis testing site on Tuesday
Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will host #MasksOnMaryland Day on Tuesday, December 15 at the Annapolis COVID-19 testing site, where free face masks will be distributed to the public from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, weather permitting. The event will be the latest in a series of #MasksOnMaryland events to encourage the use of face coverings in public places.
“With COVID-19 cases surging across the country, it is critical that we continue to wear masks indoors and around others. It is the law, and it will be essential in getting us through this pandemic,” said Acting MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “Even as vaccines become more available in the coming months, we need to continue protecting ourselves and those around us by wearing our masks, washing our hands, and watching our distance.”
The masks distributed at Tuesday’s event will be donated to the state by D&T Industries (DTI), a manufacturer of personal protective equipment headquartered in Elkridge, MD. The 5,000 masks in the donation each feature #MasksOnMaryland logos and other Maryland branding.
“D&T Industries is honored to join the State of Maryland in encouraging all residents to wear masks whenever they are indoors or near others,” said DTI’s co-founder, Shan Zhong. “The masks that we are donating today will help Marylanders show pride for their state at the same time that they remind us all of the importance of continuing to wear masks responsibly.”
MDH and its local partners have hosted #MasksOnMaryland distribution events across the state since July of this year. Over 60,000 free masks have been provided to Marylanders through these events. Local jurisdictions are encouraged to continue promoting the use of masks by hosting campaign events of their own.
Tuesday’s event will also serve as a reminder of the importance of regular COVID-19 testing. The state continues to set testing records. During the week between December 6 and December 12, 336,684 tests were reported in Maryland. On Friday, December 11, the state saw a one-day record of 66,618 tests.
Event attendees and members of the public are welcome to take tests at the Annapolis site, which hosts free public testing on Tuesdays and Fridays. Appointments are encouraged although not required. Patients can schedule online at https://Portal.CianDX.com. The Annapolis testing site is located at the corner of Bladen St. and Calvert St. in downtown Annapolis.
For a comprehensive list of testing sites in Maryland, visit COVIDtest.maryland.gov. COVID-19 information and resources are available at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the media are invited to attend this event to take photos and record b-roll footage. Beginning at 11 a.m., state officials and representatives of D&T Industries will be on site for brief media interviews regarding the #MasksOnMaryland campaign and the state’s testing program only. Members of the media interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Andy.Owen@Maryland.gov. This event will be held weather permitting.
Members of the media may not make direct contact with any visitors to the COVID-19 testing site. By law, this testing site provides the same level of patient privacy as a hospital or any other health care facility. Distant footage and shots of testing operations and facility grounds will be allowed. Photos or videos that can be used to identify patients are a violation of federal HIPAA law and will not be allowed.
