Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Update June 16, 2020 11:21 A.M. Testing Fair

Governor Larry Hogan has announced a new walk-up, COVID-19, testing location for the City of Baltimore at the Baltimore Convention Center. Testing will take place at the Center twice per week on Wednesdays and Fridays until the end of the month from 8:00 A.M. - 2 P.M. While no appointments are necessary, they are highly encouraged. Testing is free to patients with no symptoms or doctor's order required. The testing site can be entered at the intersection of Conway and Sharp Streets.

Please visit http://coronavirus.maryland.gov and click testing to set-up appointments.

Update May 22, 2020 1:15 P.M.

A FAQ page regarding the Baltimore Convention Center's re-opening has been added to our website. Please click HERE to view the page or HERE to download the PDF. If you have a question that is not on this list, please reach out to us at salesinfo@bccenter.org.

Update April 27, 2020 2:04 P.M.

After much preparation, we are beginning to see the arrival of the first patients who will receive recovery care at the Alternative Medical Field Hospital located in the Baltimore Convention Center. It has been amazing to see the transformation of our facility into this field operation. All of the details have been carefully thought through and implemented by the medical experts, the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore and our Baltimore Convention Center teams. The onsite medical and logistics teams have been impressed and complimentary of our staff and business partners who have all put forth their best efforts to meet the needs of the patients. All of us expect that the patients will receive the best care by the best medical institutions. I am pleased and proud that our staff and business partners were able to play a role at this critical time.”. . . . Peggy Daidakis, Executive Director

Update March 27, 2020 12:18 P.M.

Updated March 27, 2020 12:18 PM for specific federal terminology.As it has been reported through local and national news outlets, the Baltimore Convention Center has been designated as a Federal Medical Station by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, becoming an important part of the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Baltimore Convention Center stands ready to support the City and State as our region works in unison to serve our citizens during this unprecedented event. To prepare our facility for this undertaking, the Maryland National Guard will transform 123,000 square feet of exhibit space inside of halls F & G into medical station with 250 medical beds delivered by FEMA. This Federal Medical Station will operate under the direction of the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins. We anticipate that our facility will serve to free up hospitals to care for the more serious and critical patients.

In support of medical station operations, Baltimore Convention Center workers, including employees of our business partners previously displaced, will return to provide food service, telecommunications, utilities, and other services needed for the care of patients and to support the needs of care workers. These essential employees will be following social distancing and food handling guidance as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, and the Baltimore City Health Department.

In the midst of this crisis, we have not lost sight of the needs of our clients. In collaboration with Visit Baltimore, we are actively working with all customers, according to event timing, to ensure we are meeting all contractual obligations. We are prioritizing the rescheduling of events for future dates where possible. With regard to the very fluid nature of this crisis, it is important to note that the Baltimore Convention Center is still mandated under the State of Emergency and Catastrophic Health Emergency Activation. Until this decree from Governor Hogan has been rescinded, the facility will remain closed to the public.

We are facing an unprecedented, global emergency and are doing everything within our power to act in the best interest of all involved including the citizens of Baltimore who are in need of our help, our clients, business and industry partners, and employees.

While information and logistical planning is still in motion, we are doing our utmost to be a resource for all partners. Please check this page regularly for updated information on this ever- changing crisis.

UPDATE March 23, 2020 6:35 P.M.

“The Center has been designated as an “alternative care” facility by Governor Hogan. When conditions necessitate and additional hospital beds are needed, the Baltimore Convention Center will host these alternative care units under the direction of the University of Maryland Medical Services and Johns Hopkins in partnership with state and local government including Mayor Young’s team. To be prepared for all scenarios, the Center will be receiving freight in the coming days to support alternative care operations, but that does not mean those services are imminent. From this moment and until further notice the facility is closed to the general public. We stand ready, when needed, in this effort. We commend Governor Hogan and his team for taking swift and decisive action to slow the spread of COVID-19.” Peggy Daidakis, Executive Director Baltimore Convention Center

Update for Friday, March 13, 2020

"At the Baltimore Convention Center the safety, health, and overall wellbeing of our customers, attendees, staff, and business partners is our foremost priority. From the very beginning of the COVID-19 health crisis we have closely monitored and navigated the ever changing circumstances of this unprecedented event. I pledge that throughout this crisis we will continue to do so and act in accordance with best practices as they become available and as they pertain to the operation of our facility." Executive Director, Peggy Daidakis

State of Emergency and Catastrophic Health Emergency Activation

On Thursday, March 12, 2020 Maryland State Governor, Larry Hogan, announced a series of actions to protect public health and safety and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Maryland. In response to the first case of community transmission of the virus, the state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency activated on March 5, 2020 was raised to full activation level.

As a part of this activation and effective immediately, gatherings of more than 250 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers. Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded by the State of Maryland.

What this Means for the Baltimore Convention Center

The Baltimore Convention Center’s administrative offices are operating as normal; however, under this activation no events are being hosted. We are actively working with our effected client base to ensure they are aware of this development and rescheduling events where possible.During this time we will expand on the efforts already underway to clean, sanitize, and disinfect our entire facility.

While no cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the City of Baltimore, the Baltimore Convention Center will continue to stay in close contact with Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young and his offices of Health and Emergency Management to ensure that we are up to date on all current guidelines concerning COVID-19.

Until further notice, the Center will also maintain normal operating hours 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Update for February 25, 2020

“What impacts the travel industry has an immediate and sometimes lasting effect on the meetings and conventions industry. We, along with the country and the rest of the world, are closely watching and navigating the current situation with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). As we pay close attention and take direction from industry associations and stakeholders on necessary measures, we are also enhancing cleaning and disinfecting procedures while taking new actions in accordance with recommendations from government agencies and industry leaders for preventative measures in the spreading of this virus.”

Peggy Daidakis, Executive Director

The Baltimore Convention Center has taken the following measures for our facility:

Ensuring that key personnel who are responsible for the cleanliness and safety of our facility are actively participating in industry updates, webinars, and other educational sessions that are producing the most current preventative procedures.
Re-educating our current staff on health and safety measures that prevent the spreading of viruses and other respiratory illnesses.
Increasing the amount of hand sanitizing stations that are available throughout the facility with a special focus on the public spaces including entrances and lobbies.
Ensuring that our hand sanitizers fall within the FDA recommendations for the greatest germicidal efficacy 70% ethanol.
Taking a proactive approach to cleaning the facility which includes sanitizing and disinfecting on a daily basis.

To learn what measures the City of Baltimore is taking to address the current COVID-19 Virus please visit the following website:
Baltimore City Health Department

For updates from the Centers for Disease Control:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts.html

For additional information on travel, health, and preventative measures for COVID-19, visit the following sites:
Events Industry Council
World Health Organization
PCMA
ISSA (The World Wide Cleaning Association)