NOVEMBER 20, 2020
The state of Maryland will revert back to 50 percent capacity for businesses and religious organizations after recent spikes in new COVID-19 cases, Governor Larry Hogan announced.
Contact tracing has revealed that a significant number of Marylanders have recently been exposed to the virus in bars and restaurants.
Because of this, the following new guidelines go into effect Friday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m.
- All dine-in service at bars, restaurants, and other establishments must close at 10 p.m.
- No standing or crowding at bars at any time. Customers who are not seated can not be served. It will be enforced.
- Capacity for all retail businesses, organizations, and religious institutions revert back to 50%, the Phase 2 limit. (This includes all personal services, bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, skating rinks, fitness centers, and social clubs).
- Fans will not be permitted at professional or collegiate stadiums or racetracks.
As of Friday, the state of Maryland has 50 percent more new COVID-19 cases in November than all of October. New hospitalizations averaged 1,062 per day from the past week, the highest average since May 30 – June 5 for a single week.
The 120 new coronavirus-related deaths from the previous week were up from the 78 reported the week prior, and the most in a single week for the state since June 13-19.
Hogan says that more Marylanders have died from COVID-19 than from car crashes, gun violence, and the flu combined.
This is not the flu. It’s not fake news. It’s not going to magically disappear because we are tired of it.
Hogan said that hospital capacity up 100 percent since Nov. 1. In response to that, the Maryland Department of Health issued an Emergency Order that allows hospitals at or near capacity to transfer patients to hospitals that are able to provide the necessary care.
Hospitals in Western Maryland are already at their capacity limits, and 19 hospitals across the state are already above 90% capacity.
Hospitals are being asked to avoid elective procedures that are likely to require prolonged ventilation, ICU admissions, or skilled nursing care.
To protect the most vulnerable populations, indoor visitation at nursing homes will generally be limited to compassionate care and all visitors must have proof of a negative COVID test result.
Nursing home staff will have mandatory twice-weekly testing for all staff and weekly testing for all residents effective Friday.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Governor Hogan asks Marylanders to stand together and make sacrifices to help battle the virus.
We are in a war right now, and the virus is winning. Your family and friends are counting on you.
Courtesy/Source: WJLA
