Indoor Dining, Gyms, Malls: Hogan Outlines MD Stage 2 Reopening

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Malls, gyms and casinos are among the businesses that will be able to reopen in the next 10 days as Maryland continues reopening, Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday. After a decrease in hospitalizations from the coronavirus and a declining positivity rate, Hogan said he would lift more restrictions on businesses and activities in the state.

"The fight from this virus is far from over," Hogan said at a news conference in Annapolis Wednesday, where he urged people to keep practicing social distancing.

"We must all continue to remain vigilant, now more than ever, as we begin to come into contact with more people," Hogan said. "Our health and economic recovery depends on all of us continuing to exercise personal responsibility."

These measures will be allowed at 5 p.m. Friday, June 12:

• Indoor dining at 50 percent capacity with table service only and physical distancing
• Outdoor amusements and rides can reopen, including miniature golf and go-kart tracks
• Outdoor pool capacity increased to 50 percent

Just because people can does not mean they should participate in certain activities, Hogan said.

"That's going to be a personal choice," the governor said, regarding whether to participate in indoor dining. Describing himself as a cancer survivor over 60, Hogan said he would personally opt to stay outside.

The Maryland Department of Health has issued safety guidance for restaurant staff and patrons.

Among the restrictions: No more than six people at a table, diners must sit at least 6 feet apart and staff must wear masks.

These will reopen at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19:

• Indoor gyms, fitness centers, dance studios and martial arts facilities
• Casinos
• Arcades
• Malls, entertainment and recreational attractions

"Indoor facilities are traditionally close quarters," Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips said, encouraging people to be responsible.

The state will provide more guidance on youth and amateur sporting events, professional sporting events, concerts and convention events later on, according to Phillips.

For the latest updates on the coronavirus in Maryland, get Patch news alerts.

"Nothing is zero risk, so we need to be prudent," Phillips said. "Just because it's open doesn't mean you have to participate."

Even though indoor dining is available, she said people may want to continue to dine outside or at home.

"If we all continue to use common sense and practice social distancing," Phillips said, we can avoid a second wave of the virus.

Schools Begin To Reopen

School buildings will be able to reopen slowly, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon said.

Groups of 10 to 15 will be able to enter, with a focus on summer programming for those who may have been the most impacted by the pandemic, she said.

Child care centers may also have up to 15 people as the reopening continues, according to Salmon.

See Also:

• Get Tested For Coronavirus, MD Governor Tells Protesters
• COVID Hospitalizations In Maryland Drop For 14 Days
• MD Schools Reopening: Summer School, HS Sports, Child Care
• 7-Day Decline In ICU Patients With Virus At Maryland Hospitals