With consistent improvements in key statewide health metrics and a fast pace of vaccinations, Governor Larry Hogan today lifted the outdoor mask mandate in Maryland and all restrictions for outdoor dining. The governor also announced that the state has entered a new phase of its vaccination campaign, moving to direct scheduling at mass vaccination sites and continuing to expand points of distribution.

Read the updated executive order.

The public safety order goes into effect April 29, and can be found here. The rescinded County face covering requirement for outdoor public spaces means that enforcement will now default to the State’s face covering order. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that the county will allow people to watch games at the county's indoor Rec & Parks facilities.

"While we know it has taken a while to reach a place where we know we can allow some indoor spectators, we thank you for your patience and cooperation," said Ball.

The new plan begins at 5 p.m. on April 30, 2021.

The county executive also announced that Howard County will align with Governor Larry Hogan's new guidance on masks outdoors and outdoor dining.

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

Established under the American Rescue Plan, and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced economic distress and significant operational losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act. The program includes over $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

By sweeping two rounds, having a strong Halftime total and scoring 10 out of a possible 12 points on Toss-Up Questions, Andy Morsberger (Minuteman Press of Crofton, Canton and Federal Hill) captured the first Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce trivia competition with 80 points. 

Craig Gajewski (First Citizens Bank & Trust) picked up the maximum 20 points on the Final Question to jump into second place with 68 points. Chetana Bhat (PPRD) also swept two rounds and was in striking distance of Andy, but she lost 20 points on the Final Question and fell to third place with 59 points. Andy lost 10 points on the last question, but his lead was large enough to stay on top.

Other competitors included Cindi Mitchell (Blue Flaire), and Kristi Simon and Kim Wirt from the Chamber.

The Trivia was hosted by Matt Slovick (Aflac).  

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