MARYLAND — Gov. Larry Hogan announced all Maryland businesses will be able to reopen beginning Sept. 4 at 5 pm as the state moves into Stage Three.
RELATED: Gov. Hogan: All Maryland businesses will be able to reopen beginning Friday
Indoor theaters where live performances occur or motion pictures are shown may open to the general public at 50% capacity, or 100 people per auditorium, whichever is less.
Outdoor venues where live performances occur or motion pictures are shown outdoors may open to the general public at 50% capacity, or 250 people.
Capacity for retail establishments and religious facilities may increase from 50 to 75 percent.
The final decision however, is at the discretion of each county or jurisdiction. Below you can find a list of those deciding to follow the state's lead.
FREDERICK COUNTY:
9/3 - Based on health metrics and guidance from the county’s health officer, County Executive Jan Gardner has determined that Frederick County will conditionally advance to the next phase of Governor Hogan’s reopening plan.
HOWARD COUNTY:
9/20 - Howard County will move forward with the increase in restaurant indoor dining capacity from 50% to 75%.
9/3 - County Executive Calvin Ball announced this week that Howard County will move forward with Governor Hogan’s modified Stage Three plan of reopening effective Friday, September 4, at 5:00 p.m.
9/21 - Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25.
INDOOR THEATERS. Indoor theaters where live performances occur or motion pictures are shown may open to the general public at 50 percent capacity, or 100 people per auditorium—whichever is less—with appropriate health and safety protocols in place.
OUTDOOR VENUES. Outdoor venues where live performances occur or motion pictures are shown outdoors may open to the general public at 50 percent capacity, or 100 people—whichever is less—with appropriate health and safety protocols in place.
The new order also allows organized outdoor events of up to 100 people.
The county’s restrictions on social gatherings remain in place with limits of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
Still in effect: 50 percent maximum occupancy for food service establishments and the 10:00 p.m. closing time for bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Retail businesses can have 50 percent of the maximum occupancy under the fire code.
9/3 - Anne Arundel County will not be joining Governor Larry Hogan and other jurisdictions entering stage three of Maryland's recovery.
County Executive Steuart Pittman says they will remain in stage two citing an increase in COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks.
9/8 - Indoor dining: Indoor dining will be allowed at 50% max occupancy (currently 25%). Also, the 10 p.m. curfew on indoor dining is lifted.
- Religious facilities: Will be allowed at 50% max occupancy (currently 25%).
- Retail establishments and malls: Will be allowed at 50% max occupancy (currently 25%).
- Indoor recreation establishments: Will be allowed at 50% max occupancy (currently 25%).
- Theaters and Outdoor Entertainment: Indoor theaters will be allowed at 50% max occupancy or 100 people, whichever is less. Outdoor venues will be allowed at 50% max occupancy or 250 people, whichever is less.
- Casinos: Will be allowed at 50% max occupancy (currently 25%)
- Gatherings:
- If the space involved has a fire code-rated maximum occupancy, then the cap is 25% of that occupancy for gatherings in that space. If an indoor event venue or space is designed to accommodate more than one event, the limitation of 25% applies to each venue or space, provided that the facility at no time exceeds 25% maximum occupancy.
- If the space involved does not have a fire code-rated maximum occupancy, then the cap is 25 people for gatherings.
- Gathering is defined as “an assembly or meeting, especially a social or festive one or one for a specific purpose.” Gatherings include but are not limited to a celebration, event, party, cookout, parade, or a festival.
9/4- Beginning at 5 p.m. on September 8 -- retailers, restaurants and religious institutions can increase their indoor capacity to 50%
9/2 - Mayor Jack Young said the city would remain in phase two but allow for some expansion to indoor dining at some point next week.
9/21 - Baltimore County will allow operations at restaurants to increase from 50 to 75 percent capacity, with appropriate distancing, and following strict public health requirements consistent with the CDC, FDA, and the National Restaurant Association, effective Monday September 21 at 5 p.m.
9/2 - County Executive Johnny Olszewski said he would follow Gov. Hogan's order as of September 4, at 5 p.m., and allow enclosed and outdoor theaters to reopen and indoor retail and religious facilities to expand capacity.
Under Governor Hogan and Secretary Neil’s latest orders:
- Indoor theaters may operate up to 50 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is lower.
- Outdoor entertainment venues may operate up to 50 percent capacity or 250 people, whichever is lower.
- All retail establishments and religious facilities may now operate up to 75 percent capacity.
- Indoor dining at restaurants remains limited to 50 percent capacity.
- Face Coverings Still Required for anyone ages 5 and up inside a public place
HARFORD COUNTY:
9/1 - Harford County Executive Barry Glassman issued the following statement in response to Gov. Larry Hogan allowing local jurisdictions to enter into Stage 3 of the state’s reopening plan:
“Harford County’s metrics remain low and we will continue to safely and quickly reopen to the extent permitted by Gov. Hogan effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2020.”
We will continue to update the status on each county as more announcements are made.
