ANNAPOLIS, Md. — County Executive Steuart Pittman on Thursday imposed new COIVD-19 restrictions in Anne Arundel County, that he says will initially last for 4 weeks.
The latest executive order is nearly identical to the one issued Wednesday by new Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
READ MORE: 24 hours into Mayorship Scott closes down Baltimore restaurants, entertainment venues
Beginning next Wednesday, December 16, restaurants will only be allowed to offer take-out and delivery service.
Pittman says the county's committed $1 million to restaurants, for them to prepare food that will go to families in need through the 'Feed Anne Arundel' program.
The County Executive says operating licensing fees are being waived the rest of the year for restaurants.
Food establishments that already received an earlier grant can expect to receive an additional $7,000 before year's end, according to Pittman.
Restaurants however aren't the only businesses being forced to close.
Adult entertainment clubs, theaters, skating rinks, bingo and pool halls also have to.
This includes any indoor and outdoor live performances or sporting events -- collegiate, prep, professional, and recreational.
Cigar lounges and hookah bars have to close socially, but can continue selling retail products.
“These restrictions will be a burden, and I had hoped to avoid them,” Pittman said. “But we cannot ignore the projected hospitalization numbers that will result from today’s case rates, nor can we let those numbers increase further with continued community spread."
Indoor social gatherings are capped at 10 people and 25 outdoors.
Social gatherings include family events and outings, parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, flea markets, yard sales, and others not associated with operating or patronizing a business that sells merchandise from a location with a posted maximum occupancy.
Here is a breakdown of specific businesses and how the order affects them.
Under the order religious facilities will be limited to 33 percent capacity indoors and 250 people outdoors.
The below indoor establishments can only operate at 25 percent maximum occupancy.
- Retail stores
- Bowling Alleys (no food or drink service)
- Fitness centers (mask required and no classes allowed)
- Live! Casino (no food or beverage service)
- Personal services such as hair and nail salons
- Addiction recovery meetings (or 50 people -- whichever number is less)
- Social Clubs such as VFW, American Legion, etc. (no food or beverage)
As of Thursday morning, Anne Arundel County reported 19,255 COVID-19 cases including 297 deaths.
Their current 7-day average case rate sits at 47.7 per 100,000 residents.
Watch Pittman's full announcement below.
