Maryland’s stay-at-home order will be lifted at 5 p.m. Friday, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday, citing a slight two-week decline in hospitalizations statewide due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Republican governor is replacing the order with a “Safer at Home” advisory that will not be enforced by the rule of law. It allows manufacturing, retail, haircuts and worship services to resume with limitations.
Though the fight against the virus is “far from over,” Hogan said the state “can now at least begin to slowly recover.”
Though Maryland residents will no longer be required to stay home, Hogan said those at risk of complications should continue to stay inside, everyone still must wear masks in indoor public areas and employees should work from home as much as possible. Physical distancing continues to be a must, he said.
Restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people and closure of businesses deemed nonessential remain in place.
Hogan’s move sparked push-back from some leading Democrats, county executives and public health experts who worried he was moving too quickly to reopen the state.
Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner who is now a professor at George Washington University, said she’s not sure the state is ready. But she said she was glad to see a clear message that restrictions could be reimposed if infections escalate.
“My concern is whether we have the public health infrastructure — the testing, contact tracing and isolation capacity — to take these steps,” Wen said. “If we don’t, then going to phase one is a recipe for failure, with the certainty of new infections and another round of lockdowns.”
Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, said he was “surprised by how quickly the new orders will take effect.”
“There likely will be outstanding questions around issues like child care for workers and clear guidance for retail establishments. I’m hopeful that local executives will provide more actionable guidance for their residents,” Ferguson said.
Several county executives and the mayor of Baltimore signaled they will take a slow approach to implementing any reopening.
“Rushing to reopen in our large, densely populated jurisdictions jeopardizes the lives of our neighbors and loved ones,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. and Baltimore City Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young said in a joint statement.
Dozens of Marylanders continue to die each day from the virus, and outbreaks at nursing homes and in the Eastern Shore poultry industry remain a concern for health officials. There have been 1,694 confirmed deaths in Maryland due to the coronavirus, and 115 more deaths that were likely due to the virus.
Even so, citing a decline in hospitalizations, Hogan said he believes there is sufficient data to support gradual resumption of some activities that have been banned or curtailed for weeks.
On April 30, 1,711 Marylanders were hospitalized due to COVID-19. As of Wednesday, that number had dipped to 1,550.
The decision also comes as Maryland’s economy has been rocked by the shutdowns. Hundreds of thousands are unemployed and struggling to receive benefits from an overwhelmed system.
Hogan’s announcement means that all manufacturing may resume and retail stores may reopen at up to 50% of capacity with curbside service and delivery encouraged. Such retailers include clothing and shoe sellers, pet groomers, car washes, art galleries and bookstores. Barbershops and hair salons also may open with up to 50% capacity, and by appointment only.
Churches and houses of worship may begin to hold religious services at up to 50% of capacity, with outdoor services encouraged.