Photo via Gov. Larry Hogan’s YouTube page.
Stage 2 of Maryland’s reopening begins Friday, June 5 at 5 p.m., Gov. Larry Hogan announced at a press conference Wednesday.
Hogan is leaving it up to counties to decide whether to follow his plan or reopen more slowly. Montgomery County began Stage 1 of reopening on Monday, while most other counties began on May 15. The county, or County Executive Marc Elrich, often makes announcements after Hogan’s to clarify what path the county is on. As of 7 pm, there was no official statement or indication which way Elrich was leaning.
Hogan said at 5 p.m. Friday, non-essential businesses can reopen, with public health rules like face coverings. However, he said people still need to be careful.
“Just because Marylanders can return to the office, doesn’t mean that they should,” he said. He encourages teleworking when possible. Personal service businesses are included, like nail salons, massage therapists and tanning salons, but they can only open up to 50 percent capacity with appointments only. Transit schedules will start becoming more normal, and starting June 8 some Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration branches can begin reopening.
If encouraging trends continue, the next step will be to consider more outdoor amusement, fitness, sporting and other “summertime activities,” Hogan said.
When asked about social gatherings, Hogan said the 10-person limit is “technically” still in effect, but nobody is following it.
“It’s still not really safe to be gathering with more than 10 people closely together,” Hogan said, laughing lightly.
“I think every state still has it in place and nobody’s following it.”
