BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced retail stores can open for curbside pickup and delivery only beginning Friday at 5pm.
Olszewski held a press conference on Thursday addressing Baltimore County's reopening approach.
He stated that malls must stay closed.
Professional and personal services will also remain closed and religious institutions may not be allowed to hold full services indoors.
County Executive Olszewski will issue an executive order stating that effective Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m., the County will take the following actions:
PROHIBITION OF 10 OR MORE EXTENDED: County Executive Olszewski’s executive action to prohibiting gatherings or events to 10 or more people at all locations and venues will remain in place.
RETAIL STORES CURBSIDE PICK-UP: County Executive Olszewski announced that retail stores that were previously closed in Baltimore County may reopen for curbside pickup and delivery only. There will be no in in-store retail permitted aside from those retail establishments already considered essential. Shopping malls must continue to stay closed. All public health precautions should remain in place during pick-up and delivery.
REMAINING MANUFACTURING TO REOPEN: Under Maryland’s previous orders, the vast majority of manufacturing firms in Baltimore County were considered essential and remained open. Beginning Friday at 5 p.m., the remaining manufacturing operations – most of them small businesses – may resume operations in a safe manner which protects the health of employees, with guidelines encouraging multiple shifts and other safety precautions.
IN-PERSON RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS REMAIN CLOSED: Until further notice, religious institutions may not begin holding worship services and ceremonies indoors. The restriction on gatherings of more than 10 people remains in place – and those restrictions will continue to apply to religious gatherings.
PERSONAL SERVICES REMAIN CLOSED: Until further notice, all personal services establishments, including barbershops, nail salons, and hair salons, must remain closed.
Residents and visitors to Baltimore County should continue to stay at home unless they are traveling to work or medical appointments, shopping for groceries or picking up other retail goods, or traveling to outdoor recreational opportunities.
Older and more vulnerable residents are strongly advised to continue staying home as much as possible.
Residents and visitors should practice safe physical distancing and wear masks in public, and frequently wash their hands and sanitize high-touch areas.
Employers should continue to encourage telework for their employees when possible. Individuals who can work from home should continue to do so.
