An indoor face mask mandate will begin Wednesday in Baltimore County as officials declare a local COVID-19 state of emergency.|| COVID-19 updates | Maryland's latest numbers | Get tested | Vaccine Info ||Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said the new state of emergency comes amid the extremely contagious omicron variant and a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases. As of Monday, Baltimore County hospitals had only 13 staffed ICU beds available countywide.The new Baltimore County state of emergency will give the county the ability to quickly adopt emergency public health measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of residents, assist the county in requesting additional resources from the state and federal governments to support response and recovery efforts and quickly procure materials and supplies necessary for protecting public health, Olszewski said. Olszewski announced last week that he tested positive for the virus. He told WBAL NewsRadio 1090 AM and 101.5 FM that he "feels fine and has only had minor symptoms." The county executive remains in quarantine at his home and no one else in his household has tested positive.| RELATED: Johnny Olszewski tests positive for COVID-19Olszewski most recently declared a local state of emergency in August amid the peak of the delta variant spike earlier this year.The Baltimore County Council will hold a vote to consider continuation of the county's state of emergency beyond Jan. 3, 2022 at the council meeting scheduled for that date.Baltimore County's action comes as other Maryland jurisdictions also take precautions. | RELATED: Howard County begins enforcing indoor mask mandateBaltimore County indoor mask requirement Under this new state of emergency, everyone 5 and older must wear face coverings in indoor public spaces in Baltimore County effective 9 a.m. Wednesday until Jan. 31, 2022."By and large, the message is if you can wear a mask and you're indoors, particularly with a large public gathering, it's safer to have one on, and we know it works. So, even if we're slowing the spread a little bit to help prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed, it's an important step for us to take," Olszewski told 11 News.Baltimore County joins other large jurisdictions across Maryland, including Baltimore City and Howard, Prince George's and Montgomery Counties in requiring face coverings in indoor settings.This includes, but is not limited to retail establishments, recreational establishments, houses of worship, and other locations open to the public.Individuals will not be required to wear a mask if: Eating or drinking while seated at food service establishments. Face coverings are still required when otherwise moving in or about a restaurant or bar premises.A face covering cannot be worn due to a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability.Wearing a face covering would subject the person to an unsafe working condition.Wearing a face covering would make it impossible to receive certain services, including dental care, shaving, and facial treatments.Swimming or engaging in other physical activitiesOperating any public transportation conveyance, provided that the person is the sole operator of the conveyance, and located in a separate compartment that is off-limits to riders. Managers at the store Poppy and Stella in Catonsville said they are on board with the mask mandate, in fact, they've had one in place for several weeks now. "Our customers have always kind of been receptive for the most part from day one we haven't really had any upset customers over the mandate," said Caterina Greco, of Poppa and Stella.WBAL-TV 11 News did talk with some business owners and shoppers who said they think wearing a mask should be a personal choice, but most people are in favor."I'm completely for it, I think it's a great idea. We have to protect the most vulnerable people, the children that are unvaccinated. We have to save as many lives as possible," said Karen Beck. Bonnie Maschinsky also shared with 11 News she was in favor of the mask mandate."I know people say it infringes on their rights but there's certain things you have to wear a seat belt, you can't smoke in a building, so to me it's not being unfair for them to ask us to wear a mask," Maschinsky said.| RELATED: Annapolis enacts state of emergency amid COVID-19 spikeCounty to get 100K rapid at-home test kits, expand largescale testingOlszewski said the county will use American Rescue Plan funding to get 100,000 more rapid at-home test kits to make available free to county residents.In addition, the Baltimore County Department of Health will expand testing options by establishing an additional largescale COVID-19 testing clinic.The county will announce next steps on these efforts in the coming days.Officials urge residents to get vaccinatedCounty officials continue to urge residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. To get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot, go to baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccine or contact an urgent care, pharmacy or primary care provider. "We continue to encourage everyone to get tested if you are symptomatic or have had close contact with a confirmed case; get vaccinated if you have not already done so, and get boosted when eligible," Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch. said in a statement. "Initiating this local state of emergency alongside available testing, vaccination and boosters will go a long way toward helping to slow the spread."More than 600,000 people in Baltimore County have received the vaccine with more than 76% of county residents 5 and older having received at least one dose.