Md. Enters Stage 3 Friday; Montgomery, Pr. George's to Delay

Dear WANADA Members,

Earlier this week, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced that he would be allowing counties to enter a modified stage three of Maryland's Roadmap to Recovery re-opening plan. 

Under the governor's latest executive order, issued Tuesday, retailers would be able to now operate at up to 75 percent of their usual published capacity, effective at 5 p.m. on Friday. Counties would retain the ability to keep tighter restrictions in place, and leaders in several jurisdictions have elected to hold off on entering stage three at this time.

You can find the latest operating status updates in each county, along with county-specific COVID resources, on the governor's re-opening website

Officials in Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Howard, and St. Mary's counties have all decided to enter the modified stage three on Friday at 5 p.m., as authorized by Gov. Hogan. Baltimore, Carroll, and Harford counties will also enter stage three on Friday, as will all of the counties in Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said earlier this week that he hoped to announce a stage three decision by Thursday evening. However, he has already said this week that he would allow youth tackle football to resume in the county, owing to the governor's stage three order, and has previously expressed an "obligation" to long-shuttered businesses to let them re-open. Please visit the county's COVID information page tonight or tomorrow for the latest operating status updates.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced on Tuesday that, at least in the near-term, his county would remain in their version of a modified stage two, under the Reopening Montgomery plan. He promised additional information within the coming few days. Elrich said he was hopeful the county could at least incorporate some of the governor's stage three recommendations in the near future.

Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced earlier today that her county also would not be moving into stage three at this time. She expressed a desire to get through the Labor Day holiday weekend, and then reassess the county's options next week. Prince George's has by far the highest number of COVID cases in the state.

Baltimore City also will not be entering stage three on Friday, Mayor Jack Young announced on Wednesday. He did say, however, that indoor dining would once again be allowed in the city, beginning next week.

In the counties that are entering stage three, indoor theaters will also be allowed to re-open, with a limit of 50 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is lower. Outdoor venues will be able to open, with a 50 percent/250 person limit. Indoor gatherings of all kinds will now be allowed to have up to 100 people, while outdoor gathering limits will be raised to 250 people. While retailers can operate at up to 75 percent capacity, indoor dining, casinos, hair salons, and gyms will still be subject to a 50 percent capacity limit.

Please review the governor's order, and make sure that you are taking great care to comply with all additional restrictions and guidelines in your county of operation. As always, you can reach out to me or Joe Koch (jk@wanada.org) with any questions you may have. 

Thank you, as always, for prioritizing safety and cleanliness as we all continue making our way through this very uncertain time.

Sincerely,
  
John O'Donnell
WANADA President and CEO