Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday that the state's fight against the coronavirus has progressed to a point at which restaurants may reopen for outdoor dining starting on Friday evening. As of the time of this newsletter, we are awaiting guidance on these measures by Anne Arundel County Executive Pittman and Annapolis Mayor Buckley, among other local jurisdictions.
- Several restrictions must be observed, including social distancing customers, no more than six seated at a table, and menus that are single-use disposable or sanitized between each use, Briana Adhikusuma reports for Bethesda Beat.
- Hogan said he was comfortable taking additional steps to reopen the state's economy and lift certain restrictions on Marylanders' movements and activities because key metrics are "trending in the right direction." Josh Kurtz reports in Maryland Matters.
- Youth sports also may resume for "low-contact" practices outdoors in limited groups; and youth day camps could restart outdoor activities in groups no more than 10, providing the camps require masks and engage in daily COVID-19 symptom checks, Luke Broadwater and Pamela Wood of the Sun report.
- Allowing restaurants the ability to resume table service are part of phase two, which has yet to be reached, writes Bryan Sears for the Daily Record. Under the second phase, limits on the number of people who can gather will be raised above the current limit of 10. It also allows for indoor gym and fitness classes and a reopening of child care centers and indoor religious services.
- Julie Greene of the Hagerstown Herald-Mail writes that Hogan cautioned people not to be laxwhen it comes to following critical safety practices - to continue with physical distancing and wearing masks in indoor public areas like stores.
