Indoor Dining Can Increase In Maryland Starting Monday: Hogan

MARYLAND — Restaurants in Maryland may increase indoor dining capacity starting Monday. Gov. Larry Hogan signed an executive order allowing indoor operations to increase from 50 to 75 percent capacity, effective at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21.

Buffets are still not allowed, and neither is serving patrons who are not seated.

Appropriate physical distancing and other precautions will be required to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Hogan's executive order states that retailers, religious facilities and restaurants may all operate at 75 percent capacity.

The state guidance can be tailored for each jurisdiction. Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George's County remain under tighter restrictions than the rest of Maryland.

Increasing capacity at indoor dining establishments coincides with the state's first Maryland Restaurant Week, which is Sept. 18 through Sept. 27 and is in partnership with the Restaurant Association of Maryland and Visit Maryland.

"Restaurants in Maryland are pleased that the Governor has heard their concerns and has increased indoor dining capacity to 75 percent," President/CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland Marshall Weston said in a statement.

"The weather will soon eliminate outdoor dining as a viable option and the increase of indoor capacity will help make up for that loss," Weston said. "We encourage all counties to follow the governor’s executive order and not delay implementation. Restaurants will continue to serve their customers safely even with these increased capacities."

The goal is to give businesses a boost after economic fallout from the virus, Hogan said.

"This is a perfect time to enjoy going to your favorite restaurant or trying a new place to show your support on behalf of the Maryland restaurant industry," according to a statement from the governor's office, which said: "By joining together in support of this effort, Marylanders will be giving a much-needed boost to restaurants recovering from coronavirus-related restrictions while helping food service employees and their community."

See Also:

• More Anne Arundel Businesses Can Reopen: County Executive Pittman
• Movie Theaters, Concert Venues Can Reopen: Stage 3 In Maryland