Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has released a new executive order effective as of 8:00 p.m. that no Marylander will be allowed to leave their home for any reason other than essential work, medical needs or to get essential items or other essential activities. Anyone who violates the order will be charged with a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 and up to one year prison. Essential businesses are required to scale down operations and implement telework for as much of the work force as possible.
The order reads:
ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND
NUMBER 20-03-30-01 AMENDING AND RESTATING THE ORDER OF MARCH 23, 2020, PROHIBITING LARGE GATHERINGS AND EVENTS AND CLOSING SENIOR CENTERS, AND ALL NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS, AND ADDITIONALLY REQUIRING ALL PERSONS TO STAY AT HOME
WHEREAS, A state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency was proclaimed on March 5, 2020, and renewed on March 17, 2020, to control and
prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the state, and the state of
emergency and catastrophic health emergency still exists;
WHEREAS, COVID-19, a respiratory disease that spreads easily from person to
person and may result in serious illness or death, is a public health
catastrophe and has been confirmed throughout Maryland;
WHEREAS, To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health recommend
canceling large gatherings and social distancing in smaller gatherings;
WHEREAS, The currently known and available scientific evidence and best practices support limitations on large gatherings and social distancing to prevent
exposures and transmissions, and reduce the threat to especially
vulnerable populations, including older individuals and those with
chronic health conditions;
WHEREAS, To reduce the threat to human health caused by transmission of the novel coronavirus in Maryland, and to protect and save lives, it is necessary
and reasonable that individuals in the state refrain from congregating;
WHEREAS, To protect the public health, welfare, and safety, prevent the
transmission of the novel coronavirus, control the spread of COVID-19,
and save lives, it is necessary to control and direct the movement of
individuals in Maryland, including those on the public streets;
WHEREAS, It is further necessary to control and direct in Maryland the occupancy and use of buildings and premises, as well as places of amusement and assembly; and
WHEREAS, the Coronavirus Response Team will continue to advise on related public health and emergency management decisions;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF MARYLAND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TITLE 14 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ARTICLE, AND IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 WITHIN THE STATE, DO HEREBY ORDER:
I. The Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland, dated March 12, 2020, entitled “Prohibiting Large Gatherings and Events and Closing Senior Centers,” as amended and restated on March 16, 2020, and further amended and restated on March 19, 2020 by Order Number 20-03-19-01, and further amended and restated on March 23, 2020 by Order Number 20-03-29-01, is further amended and restated in its entirety as set forth herein.
II. Stay-at-Home Order.
a. All persons living in the State of Maryland are hereby ordered, effective as of
8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020, to stay in their homes or places of residences
(“Homes”) except:
i. to conduct or participate in Essential Activities (defined below);
ii. staff and owners of businesses and organizations that are not required to
close pursuant to paragraph IV or paragraph V below may travel:
1. between their Homes and those businesses and organizations; and
2. to and from customers for the purpose of delivering goods or
performing services; and
iii. staff and owners of Non-Essential Businesses (defined below) may travel:
1. between their Homes and those Non-Essential Businesses for the
purpose of engaging in Minimal Operations; and
2. to and from customers for the purpose of delivering goods.
b. As used herein, “Essential Activities” means:
i. Obtaining necessary supplies or services for one’s self, family, household
members, pets, or livestock, including, without limitation: groceries,
supplies for household consumption or use, supplies and equipment
needed to work from home, laundry, and products needed to maintain
safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence;
ii. Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of one’s self,
family, household members, pets, or livestock, including such things as
seeking medical or behavior health or emergency services, and obtaining
medication or medical supplies;
iii. Caring for a family member, friend, pet, or livestock in another household
or location, including, without limitation, transporting a family member,
friend, pet, or livestock animal for essential health and safety activities,
and to obtain necessary supplies and services;
iv. Traveling to and from an educational institution for purposes of receiving
meals or instructional materials for distance learning;
v. Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running,
or biking, but only in compliance with paragraph III below and applicable
social distancing guidance published by the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and the Maryland Department of Health
(“MDH”);
vi. Travel required by a law enforcement officer or court order; or
vii. Traveling to and from a federal, State, or local government building for a
necessary purpose.
III. Gatherings Large Than 10 Persons Prohibited.
a. Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting
gatherings and events (“large gatherings and events”) of more than 10 people are
hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers.
b. 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.
IV. Closure of Non-Essential Businesses, Generally.
a. This Order controls the occupancy and use of all businesses, organizations,
establishments, and facilities that are not part of the critical infrastructure sectors identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (currently described at
https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-du…)
(collectively, “Non-Essential Businesses”).
b. Subject to paragraph IV.c, all Non-Essential Businesses shall remain closed to the general public.
c. Staff and owners may continue to be on-site at Non-Essential Businesses for only the following purposes (“Minimal Operations”):
i. Facilitating remote working (a/k/a/ telework) by other staff;
ii. Maintaining essential property;
iii. Preventing loss of, or damage to property, including without limitation,
preventing spoilage of perishable inventory;
iv. Performing essential administrative functions, including without
limitation, picking up mail and processing payroll;
v. Caring for live animals; and
vi. In the case of Non-Essential Businesses that are retail establishments,
continuing to sell retail products on a delivery basis.
d. All businesses, organizations, establishments, and facilities that are required to close pursuant to paragraph V, pursuant to any other Order of the Governor of the
State of Maryland or any other Order of a political subdivision, shall be and
remain closed in accordance with paragraph V or such other Order, as the case
may be.
V. Closure of Certain Specific Businesses, Organizations, and Facilities.
a. Senior Centers. All senior citizen activities centers (as defined in Section 10-
501(i) of the Human Services Article of the Maryland Code) shall remain closed
until after termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the
catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded.
b. Restaurants and Bars.
i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of restaurants, bars, and other
similar establishments that sell food or beverages for consumption onpremises
in Maryland (“Restaurants and Bars”). This Order does not
apply to food or beverage services in health care facilities, which are
expressly excluded from the definition of “Restaurants and Bars.”
ii. All Restaurants and Bars shall remain closed to the general public, except
that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and in accordance with any
social-distancing recommendations of MDH, food and beverages may be:
1. sold if such food or beverages are promptly taken from the
premises, i.e., on a carry-out or drive-through basis; or
2. delivered to customers off the premises.
c. Fitness Centers.
i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of fitness centers, health clubs,
health spas, gyms, aquatic centers, and self-defense schools in Maryland
(“Fitness Centers”).
ii. All Fitness Centers shall remain closed to the general public, except that
the portion of any Fitness Center that is licensed or otherwise permitted by
applicable law, regulation, or order to provide child care services may
remain open to the general public for the purpose of continuing to provide
such child care services.
d. Theaters.
i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of theatres in Maryland at
which live performances occur or motion pictures are shown (“Theaters”).
ii. All Theaters shall remain closed to the general public.
e. Malls.
i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of shopping centers in
Maryland that have one or more enclosed pedestrian concourses
(“Enclosed Malls”).
ii. The following portions of Enclosed Malls shall remain closed to the
general public:
1. pedestrian concourses and other interior common areas open to the
general public, including without limitation, food courts; and
2. retail establishments only accessible to the general public from
enclosed pedestrian concourses or other interior areas.
iii. This paragraph V.e does not require closure of retail establishments
attached to Enclosed Malls that are directly accessible from the outside.
iv. Notwithstanding paragraph V.e.ii, local governments may approve access
by the general public to the following parts of Enclosed Malls:
1. retail establishments (a) that primarily sell groceries or pharmacy
products, or (b) at which licensed professionals provide health care
services; and
2. pedestrian concourses and other interior common areas, but solely
to the extent necessary for the general public to access the retail
establishments described in paragraph V.e.iv.1.
f. Other Recreational Establishments.
i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of the following establishments
in Maryland (“Recreational Establishments”):
1. bingo halls;
2. bowling alleys;
3. pool halls;
4. amusement parks;
5. roller and ice skating rinks;
6. all golf courses (public and private), miniature golf establishments,
and driving ranges;
7. social and fraternal clubs, including without limitation, American
Legion posts, VFW posts, and Elks Clubs;
8. campgrounds; and
9. any other establishment not listed above that is subject to the
admission and amusement tax under Title 4 of the Tax-General
Article of the Maryland Code.
ii. All Recreational Establishments are hereby closed to the general public
(including members, in the case of private clubs), effective as of 5:00 p.m.
on March 30, 2020 (or shall remain closed, if closed by a prior Order).
g. Other Miscellaneous Establishments.
i. This Order controls the occupancy and use of the following establishments
in Maryland:
1. tattoo parlors;
2. tanning salons;
3. barber shops; and
4. beauty salons and all other establishments that provide esthetic
services, provide hair services, or provide nail services (as
described in Title 5, Subtitle 2 of the Business Occupations Article
of the Maryland Code).
ii. The establishments listed in paragraph V.g.i above shall remain closed to
the general public.
VI. Specific Exclusions. For avoidance of doubt:
a. This Order does not require the closure of, or prohibit the movement of any staff or
volunteer traveling to, from, or in connection with their duties at any:
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i. Any federal, State, or local government unit, building, or facility;
ii. Any newspaper, television, radio, or other media service; or
iii. Any non-profit organization or facility providing essential services to lowincome
persons, including, without limitation, homeless shelters, food
banks, and soup kitchens.
b. Paragraph II of this Order does not apply to:
i. Persons whose homes or residences have become unsafe, such as victims
of domestic violence; and
ii. Persons who are experiencing homelessness, but governmental and other
entities are strongly encouraged to make shelter available for such persons
to the maximum extent practicable, in a manner consistent with the social
distancing guidelines of the CDC and MDH.
VII. Government Buildings and Facilities with Large Occupancy or Attendance.
a. State and local government buildings and facilities with an expected occupancy or
attendance of more than 10 people shall:
i. Promptly and conspicuously post in the building or facility a copy of the
MDH recommendations for social distancing; and
ii. Provide all occupants and attendees with the capability to wash their
hands.
b. A copy of this Order shall be made available to all occupants or attendees at any
State or local government building and facility with an expected occupancy or
attendance of more than 10 people.
VIII. General Provisions.
a. Each law enforcement officer of the State or a political subdivision shall execute
and enforce this Order.
b. A person who knowingly and willfully violates this Order is guilty of a
misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one
year or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.
c. This Order remains effective until after termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded, or until rescinded, superseded, amended, or revised by additional orders.
d. The effect of any statute, rule, or regulation of an agency of the State or a political subdivision inconsistent with this order is hereby suspended.
e. The underlined paragraph headings in this Order are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Order.
From MD Governor: Governor Larry Hogan announced that state officials have identified an additional case of novel coronavirus in the State of Maryland. The state’s sixth confirmed case is a Prince George’s County resident who contracted the virus during out-of-state travel.
According to an initial investigation by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), there appear to be no major concerns over exposure risk to the community and there is no connection to the previous positive cases. MDH has notified Prince George’s County officials. This is the county’s first confirmed case.
“With the confirmation of a sixth case of novel coronavirus in our state, I want to again assure Marylanders that all levels of government are working together to respond to the COVID-19 threat in a cooperative and coordinated manner,” said Governor Hogan. “We remain committed to bringing the full resources of state government to bear in order to protect our citizens and mitigate the spread of this virus.”
Governor Hogan signed emergency legislation granting him the authority to tap into the state’s rainy day fund, announced the formation of a Coronavirus Response Team that will advise the administration on important health and emergency management decisions as this situation continues to evolve, and announced new guidance for state employees that includes suspending all business-related out-of-state travel. Watch the video of today’s press conference.
Hogan will convene a meeting of his full Cabinet to discuss Maryland’s government-wide response to COVID-19. Additionally, he will meet with representatives of the long-term care community to ensure that the necessary precautions are being taken to protect residents of nursing homes and retirement communities.
Maryland
is currently operating under a state of emergency, and the Maryland Emergency
Management Agency (MEMA) has elevated its state response activation level. At
the governor’s direction, state agencies have ramped up response and preparedness efforts across
all levels of government. He has also issued a directive requiring state health carriers
to waive all cost-sharing regarding testing for COVID-19. Read the list of ongoing state actions here.
Information and updates about COVID-19 in Maryland are available at health.maryland.gov/coronavirus.