Emergency Orders To Restrict Hospital and Nursing Home Visitation, Alleviate Overcrowding at Medical Facilities
Institutes 10 PM Closure for Bars and Restaurants, 50% Capacity for Retail and Religious Establishments

ANNAPOLIS, MD—With widespread community transmission across the state and surging COVID-19 metrics across the country, Governor Larry Hogan today announced immediate actions to prevent overburdening the state’s healthcare system and to keep more Marylanders from dying.

“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.’”

Watch today’s press conference.
View the slides from today’s press conference.^[1][2]

Dr. Thomas Scalea, physician-in-chief of shock trauma at the University of Maryland Medical Center, also spoke at today’s press conference.

In addition to today’s new actions, the governor announced that he will participate in a call on Thursday with President-elect Joe Biden and his transition team.

NEW ACTIONS EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 AT 5 PM: 

The governor has issued an emergency order^[3] that takes the following actions—effective Friday, November 20 at 5 p.m.:

10 PM CLOSURE FOR BARS AND RESTAURANTS STATEWIDE. All bars, restaurants, and venues serving food and alcohol must close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for the purposes of carryout and delivery.

LIMITED CAPACITY FOR RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS AND RELIGIOUS FACILITIES. 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.