UPDATE: Baltimore County has announced an accelerated reopening schedule for the County’s largest senior centers.

Original story below…

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NOTTINGHAM, MD—After a 14-month hiatus amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Baltimore County Department of Aging on Thursday announced that beginning Monday, May 10, nine of the County’s largest senior centers will host orientations in advance of reopening for limited programming later this year.

All County senior centers have been closed since March 17, 2020, when Governor Hogan closed centers across Maryland to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“We’re thrilled to begin to reopen our senior centers so we can do even more to serve the more than 20,000 residents are members of the county’s 20 senior centers and Senior Box Office,” said Laura D. Riley, Director of the Department of Aging. “This phased reopening will ensure that we can provide a clean and safe environment at our largest centers as we work towards reopening all our centers as quickly and as safely as possible.”

Safety Orientation Required Prior to Reopening

Prior to reopening for limited in-person programming, senior center members will be required to attend an orientation session to learn about new COVID-19 safety protocols and complete annual center registration forms.

Beginning Monday, May 10, individuals can register for these orientation sessions by calling 410-887-2040 or going online at https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging to sign-up.

Following completion of orientation by a significant number of members, the County will begin to offer in-person programming, which is currently expected to begin in July. Due to distancing and capacity requirements, Baltimore County will begin with the nine largest senior centers:

• Ateaze Senior Center, 7401 Holabird Avenue, Dundalk, MD 21222, 410-887-7233, [email protected]
• Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, 410-887-3094, [email protected]
• Catonsville Senior Center, 501 North Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228, 410-887-0900, [email protected]
• Cockeysville Senior Center, 10535 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030, 410-887-7694, [email protected]
• Essex Senior Center, 600 Dorsey Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21221, 410-887-0267, [email protected]
• Liberty Senior Center, 3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown, MD 21133, 410-887-0780, [email protected]
• Parkville Senior Center, 8601 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21234, 410-887-5338, [email protected]
• Pikesville Senior Center, 1301 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, 410-887-1245, [email protected]
• Seven Oaks Senior Center, 9210 Seven Courts Drive, Perry Hall, MD 21236, 410-887-5192, [email protected]

The County’s remaining eleven senior centers will reopen following state expansion of capacity limits, additional Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, and state and local Department of Health approval.

Virtual Programs to Continue

Due to physical distancing restrictions, programs with high attendance will continue to be offered virtually.

Virtual programs will continue to be publicized in the senior center monthly newsletters and on the Department of Aging’s website at https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/seniorcenters.

Senior Food Distribution Program Expanded

Until the Eating Together program resumes, BCDA will continue to provide a weekly bulk food program for seniors, and it is now expanding to 9 sites: Ateaze, Bykota, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Essex, Liberty, Parkville, Reisterstown and Seven Oaks senior centers. One member per household can register online at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/aging or call 410-887-2040 on Mondays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to reserve a food kit. Each “kit” includes canned goods, fruits and vegetables, dairy products and a small chicken. Food distributions will occur on Wednesdays.

More information is available at https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/covid-19/senior-centers.