MD Adds Travel Advisory, Masking Order To Curb Coronavirus Spread

MARYLAND — As Maryland sees an increase in coronavirus hospitalizations, mainly people under age 35, Gov. Larry Hogan announced new measures to help slow the spread of the virus and keep the state's economy open for business. Among them are a travel advisory and a masking order.

"We are strongly advising against any travel" to states with positivity rates above 10 percent, Hogan said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. Those who plan to go to these states are encouraged to postpone or cancel travel until positivity rates decline. Those who travel there are immediately advised to get tested and self-quarantine while awaiting test results, Hogan said.

These are the states under the travel advisory issued by the Maryland Department of Health as of Wednesday: Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina, Nebraska and Idaho.

In addition, contact tracers in Maryland found the number-one activity reported by those who tested positive for the virus was "attending family gatherings," according to Hogan.

These were the top activities, he said:

• 44 percent: Family gatherings
• 23 percent: House parties
• 21 percent: Outdoor events

“We cannot say with specificity how they got the virus or where they got the virus, but these are commonalities," Hogan said, "and they are significant."

The governor said the information was a tool the state would use in its data-driven approach to decision-making.

He said he hoped Marylanders would use information to make targeted decisions to slow the spread in certain areas, using a "scalpel" rather than a "sledgehammer" to fix problems. He pointed to places like Dorchester County, where crab picking houses reported an outbreak recently, and increased testing enabled residents to slow the spread and for the positivity rate to decline.

Those who had tested positive for the coronavirus in Maryland reported participating in the following activities, Hogan said, citing contact tracing data:

• 54 percent worked outside the home
• 39 percent went shopping
• 23 percent dined outdoors
• 23 percent dined indoors

"Contact tracing is showing that teleworking is helping to keep Maryland open," Hogan said, encouraging people to continue teleworking when possible.

In addition, he said that contact tracing showed the occupations of those who had the virus were as follows:

• 25 percent: Health care workers
• 23 percent: Office workers with non public-facing jobs
• 13 percent: Personal service in business/retail
• 12 percent: Restaurant/food service employees

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

Due to an increase in hospitalizations, Maryland will remain in stage two of its reopening plan.

More than 100 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in the last 10 days.

"We will remain paused," Hogan said Wednesday. “We’re doing much better on our economic recovery than most of the rest of the country, and we want to do whatever it takes to keep it that way." He said that 98 percent of the economy in Maryland was open.

Because of an uptick in hospitalizations, he said the state was putting up a "stop sign" and not proceeding at this point to stage three of reopening, which would allow theaters and concert venues to open.

"We can put ourselves in control of this virus," Deputy Health Secretary Fran Phillips said. "What we choose to do today will save lives and will keep Maryland strong."

She encouraged people to wear masks, practice physical distancing and make deliberate choices. On that front, the state is expanding its masking order.

Expanded Mask Order Takes Effect July 31

Face coverings will be required in public spaces of all businesses across the state and in outdoor public areas where distancing is not possible, effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31. See the order.

Dr. Jinlene Chan, assistant health secretary for Maryland, will succeed Phillips, who is retiring, the governor announced. She encouraged Marylanders to take small steps that she said could be life-saving measures.

"Now is absolutely not the time to become complacent," Chan said. "As we watch the surge" around the country, "we are closely monitoring that because we know that there can very much be an impact on Maryland." She noted borders are porous.

"To stay open, we must all continue to stay vigilant," Chan said. "We are still seeing community spread."

While positivity remains under 5 percent, she said people were still testing positive for the virus and hospitalizations were increasing "particularly among people who are younger," in their 20s and 30s.

"What we are recommending are ... individual small inconveniences, which is a small trade-off to protect each other," Chan said.

"Wear a mask, especially in public places. Under the new order, it will be [required] in additional locations," Chan said. "This has been shown to prevent the spread of potential infection, especially if someone is asymptomatic" and unknowingly spreading the virus.

"Continue to social distance — 6 feet or greater," she said. "Avoid gatherings," both parties and family gatherings.

"Wash your hands," she added. "These are simple messages, simple activities," and "ultimately, the life that you save or the health that you protect may not just be your own, but it could be your neighbor, your friend, your postal worker, your Starbucks barista."

Watch the July 29 news conference here.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

See Also:

• MD In 'Holding Pattern' As Coronavirus Data Fluctuates: Hogan
• State Launches Mask-Wearing Campaign On Social Media
• 'Red Zone' Now Includes 21 States: U.S. Coronavirus News
• Free Masks Offered At Select Testing Sites In Maryland
• 'Red Zone' Now Includes 21 States: U.S. Coronavirus News
• Mercy Medical Center Chief Of Critical Care Dies Of Coronavirus