Outdoor Dining Opens Up In Annapolis, Other Restrictions Lifted

ANNAPOLIS, MD — City officials will follow Anne Arundel County's reopening guidelines that take effect Friday at 5 p.m. Non-essential businesses that are currently operating under curbside pickup only are able to open to customers. The maximum number of occupants, which includes both customers and employees, will be calculated based on 150 square feet per person. Businesses will be required to have protective measures in place regarding physical distancing and face coverings will be required for everyone in the store.

Restaurants, bars and social clubs with dining facilities may serve food and beverages for consumption in outdoor seating areas in accordance with state guidance. All establishments that already have permitted outdoor seating areas may use them in accordance with the state guidance. Beginning June 3, the city of Annapolis will begin implementing recovery districts and recovery zones.

Barbers and beauty salons may open for hair services only. The maximum number of occupants will be calculated based upon 100 gross square feet per person due to the small footprint of many facilities and the necessity of closer personal interaction in order for services to be provided.

Private youth camps are allowed to open under state guidance. Swimming at community beaches is no longer prohibited, but swimmers are advised that no routine bacteria testing has been conducted. Swimmers swim at their own risk until water quality monitoring can resume.

“We have been working closely with the county to align our reopening sequence and objectives,” Mayor Gavin Buckley said in a news release. “We ask our restaurants and retail establishments to work within the guidelines while observing recommended public health practices including hand washing, face coverings and physical distancing.

Effective June 1 at 8 a.m., athletic fields for youth skills training only will open; no organized activities. Basketball courts also will open. Starting June 5, seasonal outdoor pools will be inspected on a rolling basis. Pools can open once they are approved. Seasonal outdoor pools are inspected each spring prior to their opening and this year those inspections were postponed due to the suspension of all non-essential activity. Please note that construction on the new Truxtun Park pool is ongoing. An estimated opening of the new facility will occur with limited capacity in the last week of June.

Beginning July 6, modified outdoor day camps may begin. Traditional camps are canceled. Specialty camps are delayed until July or August.

No additional actions are being announced with regard to houses of worship and religious institutions at this time. They remain open for up to 10 people at a time for individual ministry.

The following remain closed until further notice:

• Annapolis Senior Center
• Fitness centers
• Movie theaters (including “pop-up” drive-in theaters)
• Nail salons
• Playgrounds
• Pip” Moyer Recreation Center