MD Governor Hogan Issues ‘Stay-at-Home’ Order Amid COVID-19 Spike

Cassie Conklin / March 30, 2020 / 2.2k

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has issued a “stay at home” order, directing Maryland residents not to leave their homes unless it’s for an “essential” purpose, such as getting food or medicine or going to work at a job that’s been deemed essential.

The stay at home order goes into effect at 8 p.m. Monday, Hogan announced during a news conference Monday morning. A wireless emergency alert will be sent to the cellphones of Maryland residents Monday evening, Hogan said.

“This is a public health crisis. We are no longer asking or suggesting that Marylanders stay at home. We are directing them to do so,” Hogan said.

Hogan made the announcement amid a continuing dramatic spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the broader D.C. region — more than 2,800 as Monday morning. Positive cases increased by more than 1,000 over the weekend, alone.

It’s unclear how exactly the order will be enforced, and there a number of other questions about the governor’s order. WTOP is working to get answers as quickly as possible.

Failure to comply with the order is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail or a $5,000 fine or both, Hogan said.

Speaking at the news conference Monday, Hogan said; “No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking medical attention or for other necessary purposes.”

Earlier this month, Hogan ordered nonessential businesses to close and banned public gatherings of 10 people or more.

Speaking Monday, Hogan said even businesses that are deemed essential and that are remaining open “must also make every effort to scale down their operations in order to reduce the number of required staff to limit in person interaction with customers as much as they are able to, and to institute telework for as much of the workforce as is practical.”

The text of the governor’s order lays out the parameters of the directive. Among the essential activities listed in the order include in engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running or biking. However, people exercising outdoors should maintain social distancing practices and, even outdoors, gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited.