1) Governor Hogan is holding a press conference at the State House in Annapolis.
I will thread his announcements and new actions.
I will thread his announcements and new actions.
2) Governor Hogan: “After another 14 days of continued encouraging trends, Maryland is ready to take the additional steps to complete Stage One of our gradual, safe, and effective recovery plan.”
3) As of today, Maryland has reached the goal of conducting 10,000 tests per day. The state has now completed 300,444 #COVID19 tests statewide and continues to dramatically expand testing capacity.
4) Two additional testing sites are opening in Prince George’s County this week – the VEIP station in Clinton on Thursday and Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro on Friday.
5) Maryland’s contact tracing operation is now fully operational. The state has increased its tracing capacity by nearly 500% with more than 1,400 case investigators. MD is able to track up to 1,000 cases and 10,000 contacts daily.
6) Expanded testing and tracing capacity gives us the ability to take a closer look at positivity rates – a key metric now being used by the CDC and other states.
7) In Maryland, the statewide positivity rate peaked 41 days ago, on April 17, when it was 26.91%. Since then, it has dropped by more than 50%, down to 12.8%. Positivity rates in Baltimore City and Baltimore County are both slightly below the state average.
8) Positivity rates of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties are still above the rest of the state, but are also seeing dramatic decreases. PG’s rate has dropped by nearly 50%; MoCo’s rate has dropped by over 50%.
9) Average daily death rate has dropped by more than 50% since it peaked on April 29. Total hospitalizations are down 22% since peaking on April 30, and down 17% in the last 14 days. The number of patients in ICU has been on a steady plateau for nearly a month, since April 29.
10) Due to successful Stage One reopenings across the state and improvement in metrics statewide, the governor announces that Maryland can safely move forward with the completion of Stage One of the recovery plan.
11) OUTDOOR DINING. Effective Friday, May 29, at 5pm, restaurants and social organizations (American Legion/VFW/Elks) may begin safely reopening for outdoor dining following strict public health requirements.
11a) Restaurant patrons must be appropriately distanced, with no more than 6 people seated at a table. Restaurants must use single-use disposable menus or sanitize reusable menus between each use.
11b) Restaurants must sanitize outdoor tables and chairs, and begin screening procedures, including daily temperature checks of staff. Masks must be worn when interacting with employees or patrons.
11c) GUIDANCE FOR RESTAURANTS: commerce.maryland.gov/Documents/Busi…
12) YOUTH SPORTS. Effective at 5pm on Friday, safe youth sports activities may resume, following CDC guidelines with limited, low contact, outdoor practices.
12a) GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH SPORTS: commerce.maryland.gov/Documents/Busi…
13) YOUTH DAY CAMPS. Effective at 5pm on Friday, outdoor activities at youth day camps may resume with capacity limitations of no more than 10 individuals in a group and daily COVID symptom checks for camp staff and campers.
13a) GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH DAY CAMPS: commerce.maryland.gov/Documents/Busi…
14) OUTDOOR POOLS. Outdoor pools may also reopen Friday with strict safety guidelines including: 25% capacity restrictions and strict physical distancing and sanitization measures.
14a) Pool visitors will be required to sign-in and sign-out, and pools will be required to post signage warning anyone who is sick not to enter.
14b) GUIDANCE FOR OUTDOOR POOLS: commerce.maryland.gov/Documents/Busi…
15) DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATERS. Effective Friday, May 29, at 5pm, drive-in movie theaters will also be able to safely reopen.
16) READ THE AMENDED EXECUTIVE ORDER HERE: governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/upl…
17) These additional Stage One reopenings will continue to follow a flexible, community-based approach. Counties will be able to make certain decisions regarding the timing of reopenings in their individual jurisdictions.
18) Governor Hogan: “If these encouraging trends continue into next week, we would then be in a position to begin entering Stage Two of our recovery by lifting the order and allowing other non-essential businesses to begin reopening.”
19) The governor continues to stress the importance of following CDC guidelines. If you can stay home, you should continue doing so. Continue avoiding crowds, keep working from home if possible, and wearing masks in indoor public areas.
20) Gov Hogan: “Time and time again during this very difficult period, Marylanders have stepped up and risen to meet this unprecedented challenge, and while we still have a long way to go, thanks to each and every one of you, we truly are on the road to recovery.”
