MD Stage 2 Reopening: Massage Parlors, MVA To Reopen With Limits

MARYLAND — Maryland will enter phase two of its roadmap for recovery, Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday during a news conference in Annapolis. Restrictions on many businesses will be lifted at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5. Some government agencies will also begin opening Monday, June 8.

Many businesses that were deemed nonessential will be allowed to reopen, he said.

Here's what can reopen on Friday, according to Hogan:

• Accounting firms
• Bank branches
• All manufacturing facilities
• Construction
• Large and small retail shops
• Specialty vendors
• Warehouses
• Wholesalers
• IT firms
• Legal offices
• Insurance agencies
• Design studios
• Advertising and architectural firms
• Media production companies
• Auto dealer show rooms
• Real estate offices
• Travel agencies

Nail salons, tattoo parlors, massage businesses, tanning salons and esthetic service providers may reopen at 50 percent capacity by appointment only, with strict safety protocols, Hogan said in his executive order.

For all business face coverings are encouraged during face-to-face interactions, and businesses are encouraged to conduct temperature screenings of employees. He said rotating employee hours and changing shifts or work weeks was encouraged to continue distancing.

State government will begin returning to "more normal" operations on Monday, Hogan said.

The MVA will start a phased reopening of select branches on an appointment-only basis. Staff must wear face coverings, and there will be plexiglass dividers at the stations, Hogan said.

"More normal transit schedules" will resume to accommodate the increasing number of workers returning to their jobs, and the Maryland Department of Education will continue reopening child care centers "to ensure there are more spots available" for parents returning to the work force, Hogan said.

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There are a "few which will have to remain closed a little while longer," Hogan said. Among those that remain closed are amusement parks, bingo halls, bowling alleys, fitness centers and gyms (except portions that are used for child care), miniature golf, movie theaters, pool halls, roller and ice skating rinks, indoor dining, interior thoroughfares at malls.

The reopening will be guided by the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery that Hogan said was a "flexible, community-based approach which was requested by county leaders."

As of this week, all 24 jurisdictions in Maryland are in phase one, and "as of this Friday at 5 p.m. all counties will be able to enter stage two at their discretion," Hogan said.

Just because Maryland can reopen, this "does not mean that this crisis is behind us or that we can afford to stop being vigilant and cautious," Hogan said. "All Marylanders, particularly those older and more vulnerable populations, are advised to continue staying home whenever possible."

The prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 people remains in effect, though the governor acknowledged it was not effective.

"Most people are not following that," Hogan said. However, he said it was still in place.

"While we're excited to get much of our economy restarted, I want to be very clear: Just because Marylanders can return to the office doesn't mean that they should," Hogan said. "Employees that can telework should continue teleworking whenever possible. And safety must remain a top priority for every single business in our state."

Said Hogan: "No worker wants to give this virus to his or her coworkers, and no employer wants an outbreak at his or her workplace."

Currently, coronavirus-related hospitalizations have reached the lowest levels since mid-April, he said, and the state was able to conduct thousands of tests each day, compared with 50 tests a day in March when test supplies were scarce.

"If we continue to see these really encouraging trends," Hogan said, "our next step likely coinciding with the end of the school year will be to consider opening some additional outdoor amusement, fitness, sporting and other summertime activities. I want to thank the thousands of businesses that have already safely reopened under stage one."

Watch the governor's June 3 news briefing:

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• Hogan To Address Coronavirus Recovery Progress, Floyd Protests