By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team
Governor Larry Hogan announced additional actions at a press conference yesterday to prevent overburdening the state’s healthcare system and protect more Marylanders as widespread community transmission continues across the state.
“We are in a war right now, and the virus is winning,” said Governor Hogan. “Now more than ever, I am pleading with the people of our state to stand together a while longer to help us battle this surging virus. Your family and friends are counting on you, your neighbors are counting on you, and your fellow Marylanders are counting on you to stay ‘Maryland Strong.’”
The governor issued an emergency order Tuesday, November 17, with the following actions taking effect Friday, November 20 at 5 p.m.:
- All bars, restaurants, and venues serving food and alcoholmust close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for the purposes of carryout and delivery.
- Capacity at retail establishments and religious facilities will be reduced to 50%, bringing them into line with indoor dining and personal services businesses, as well as bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, roller- and ice-skating rinks, fitness centers, and social and fraternal clubs.
- No fans will be permitted at racetracks or professional and collegiate stadiums across the state.
Businesses with questions about today’s orders should contact [email protected].
Additional changes announced for hospitals:
- Hospital visitation is prohibited, with some exceptions, until further notice. State health officials have issued an emergency order to prohibit all hospital visitation until further notice with some exceptions—including end-of-life care, obstetrics, parents or guardians of minors, and support for people with disabilities.
- New hospital surge management order. State health officials have issued an emergency order allowing hospitals that are either full or nearing capacity limits to transfer patients to hospitals that are equipped to provide them with the care they need. This will help alleviate the overcrowded hospitals in some areas of the state, and place patients in hospitals where beds are available.
- Guidance on elective procedures. State health officials have issued guidance warning hospitals and other medical facilities to avoid any elective procedure admissions that are not urgent or life-saving—especially if they are likely to require prolonged artificial ventilation, ICU admissions, or may have a high probability of requiring post-hospital care in a skilled nursing facility.
Additional actions announced for hotspots and nursing homes:
- New limitations on nursing home visitation. Until further notice, indoor visitation at Maryland nursing homes will generally be limited to compassionate care, and all visitors must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to their visit.
- Nursing home testing surge. State health officials have issued an order instituting mandatory twice-weekly testing for all staff at Maryland nursing homes, as well as mandatory weekly testing for all nursing home residents—effective no later than Friday, November 20.
- More rapid response teams for hotspots and outbreaks. To tackle acute outbreaks, Governor Hogan is doubling the number of rapid response teams deployed to provide an extra level of triage and supplement local staffing needs.
Contact: [email protected]
