Anne Arundel Shoppers Concerned About Stores Altering Entrances

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — The Anne Arundel County Fire Department has been contacted by numerous residents regarding how stores are managing their entrances and exits in order to limit the number of people inside to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. The county fire marshal's office shared in a notice posted on Facebook that the county fire prevention code does not require a minimum number of entrances into a store.

"Stores are permitted to restrict entrances to a smaller number than normal. The required number of exits must remain available to customers. It is essential that all required marked exits are clear of any obstructions and available in the event of an emergency. If a customer can see a marked exit they must be able to get to that exit. Obstructions used to guide entering customers (carts, shelving, merchandise, pallets, or temporary walls, etc.) are not permitted to block access to an exit. Such obstructions must be removed immediately," the county fire marshal's office shared.

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Several stores within Anne Arundel County have restricted the number of patrons allowed inside, such as Walmart, Target, Safeway and Giant Food. The Fresh Market, an upscale grocery store chain with four Maryland locations including in Annapolis, requires customers to wear face coverings due to the new coronavirus outbreak. The requirement is already in effect for workers.

All shoppers entering retail stores in Anne Arundel County must wear face coverings starting Wednesday after County Executive Steuart Pittman and Anne Arundel Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman issued an order for public safety. Also, employees at retail stores must wear face coverings, stores must limit the number of customers inside to allow for social distancing, and end all self-service food.

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