Maryland is “much closer” to being able to launch stage one of its recovery plan.
On the afternoon of May 6, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan provided updates on the state’s COVID-19 recovery, following his April 24 announcement of a three-stage plan to reopen the state.
Stage One of Recovery Plan Could Begin Next Week
Maryland is “much closer” to being able to launch stage one of its recovery plan. The four requisite “building blocks” to recovery (expanding testing capacity, increasing hospital surge capacity, ramping up the supply of PPE and creating a robust contact tracing operation) are in place. The state has also seen a downward trend in hospitalizations and an eight-day plateau in ICU admissions. Governor Hogan stated that if these trends continue into next week, the state will be ready to lift the stay-at-home order and begin stage one of recovery.
Elective Surgery and Certain Outdoor Activities May Resume
Although the state is not yet able to begin stage one of the recovery plan, Governor Hogan announced that the Maryland Department of Health will issue guidelines, effective immediately, to allow for elective procedures to resume at the discretion of local hospitals and healthcare providers.
Governor Hogan also issued an amended stay-at-home order, permitting certain outdoor activities to resume. Specifically, effective at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2020, the list of safe outdoor activities in which Marylanders may engage will be broadened to include the following:
- Outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking or individual and small group sports such as golfing, tennis and similar activities;
- Outdoor fitness instruction;
- Recreational fishing, hunting, shooting and archery;
- Recreational boating;
- Horseback riding; and
- Visiting cemeteries.
Closed functions at state parks will be reopened, including all state beaches for walking and exercise, as well as playgrounds.
Gatherings larger than 10 persons remain prohibited.
Schools Will Remain Closed Through End of Academic Year
Maryland public schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019–2020 academic year, while online and distance learning will continue.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris has created a COVID-19 Strategy Team to help organizations plan, respond to and address this fast-moving situation. Contact your Duane Morris attorney for more information. Prior Alerts on the topic are available on the team’s webpage.
For More Information
If you have any questions about this Alert, please contact Robert B. Hopkins, Carla N. Murphy, Allison M. Midei, any of the attorneys in our Baltimore office, any member of the COVID-19 Strategy Team or the attorney in the firm with whom you are in regular contact.
Disclaimer: This Alert has been prepared and published for informational purposes only and is not offered, nor should be construed, as legal advice. For more information, please see the firm's full disclaimer.