Two weeks after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan lifted the state’s stay-at-home order, he announced on Wednesday additional details about his plan to reopen the economy, allowing for the return of outdoor dining, youth sports and camps, pools and drive-in movies.
Hogan cited expanded testing — the state reached its goal of completing 10,000 tests a day — and continued declining numbers in hospitalizations as Maryland continues in Phase 1 of his reopening plan.
“Though we continue to make great progress toward recovery, COVID-19 is still very much a deadly threat, and our responsible behavior is absolutely critical in the continued efforts to defeat it,” the Republican governor said.
To keep Marylanders up to date with the week’s most pressing news, here are five key points from The Baltimore Sun’s coronavirus coverage.
Hogan continues phased-in approach to reopening by allowing outdoor dining, other activities
In Hogan’s Wednesday announcement, he again gave local officials the power to lift restrictions at their discretion but outlined specific guidelines for outdoor dining. These measures include seating patrons 6 feet away from one another (excluding households seated together), screening staff for fever, and requiring employees to wear facial coverings and masks.
Hogan also encouraged local jurisdictions to close streets to allow more space for restaurants to seat patrons and move freely.
Since the governor’s decision, several local officials have announced they would move forward to allow outdoor dining in their respective jurisdictions. Baltimore City will expedite the application process for restaurants seeking a permit to seat outdoors. Other jurisdictions will assist restaurant owners in opening up space for alfresco dining, and Harford County will allow restaurants to use some of their parking spots for outdoor dining.
Large crowds on Memorial Day weekend draw criticism
The sun came out for Memorial Day weekend and with that came residents who looked to take advantage of nice weather after stay-at-home orders kept them in their homes for two months.
But startling photos circulated on social media, showing beachgoers standing shoulder-to-shoulder on the boardwalk in Ocean City, skirting social distancing guidelines, and not wearing facial coverings.
As stay-at-home orders have been lifted in several jurisdictions, local officials have placed the onus on their residents to continue maintaining social distancing guidelines. But as it gets warmer, scenes like the one at Ocean City and other public areas have surfaced across the country.
Hogan on Wednesday said he was shocked by some of the images that came from the holiday weekend and urged Marylanders to assume personal responsibility for keeping themselves and others safe.
“Just because you can do something, does not mean that you should,” he said.
Maryland schools face unclear future for fall
It’s been months since students have been in class for in-person learning, and leaders still face large questions about whats holds for the fall.
With a vaccine not expected to be available by the time schools would open up for the fall, superintendents and university presidents are looking for practical ways to preserve in-person meetings.
Maryland officials have already discussed a number of contingencies for welcoming back elementary and secondary school students in the fall, including separating desks 6 feet apart, taking temperatures at the door and staggering instruction days.
Educators have said there’s most likely to be a blended approach. However, problems then arise with working parents who have to make accommodations for days when students are at home for distance learning.
Maryland colleges and universities have also discussed plans to welcome back students, many of whom have not returned to campus since spring break in March.
A large portion of schools’ revenue would be eliminated if students remain at home and do not have to pay tuition and board. The potential financial losses from another semester of online learning could affect the future of multiple schools. Many higher education leaders worry students could withdraw if they are relegated to another semester of online classes.
Some schools, such as Morgan State University and Notre Dame of Maryland University, have already announced that they will welcome back students in the fall with some restrictions.
Administrators at multiple institutions said there has been an increase compared with last year in students who have submitted a deposit to secure their spot in the freshman class. However, they are also in a wait-and-see approach to see what happens when tuition payments are due in August.
State ramps up processing for grants and loans to small businesses, but owners still waiting
Two months after Hogan announced a $125 million state program to aid small businesses, many said they are still awaiting word about their application.
Maryland officials said they have shortened the processing time for applications. As of last Friday, the state has approved 4,500 grant applications totaling roughly $45 million, nearing the $50 million capacity. But just 1,600 businesses have been issued grant checks, for a total of $17 million.
Similar problems have been reported for the state’s $75 million loan program. As of last Friday, the state had sent 93 loan agreements, a total of $4.1 million, for review and signing. Forty-five loan checks totaling $2.06 million have been issued. But overall, 9,000 loan requests have been submitted.
Delays in the program initially occurred because the commerce department needed to create a new division made up of volunteers to ensure it did not approve more applications than the funds could cover, Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz said.
A commerce department spokeswoman said the department is now processing 200 applications per day.
But with small businesses still reeling from the financial damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, financial help is needed soon.
Karen Fulton, co-owner of Full Moon Farm, a licensed stable in Finksburg, said she received a forgivable loan through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Fulton applied for a state loan and grant March 24 but has not received either.
“I’m just worried that in two weeks, we’re going to be back where we were again,” Fulton said. “If things don’t open back up, we won’t have the money to keep paying people like we would if we were on a normal June schedule. … The whole thing is just so unnerving. It’s just terrifying.”
As more restrictions are lifted, child care providers worry about continued restrictions on group sizes
While many institutions have been cleared to begin reopening, child care providers who are not caring for the kids of essential workers remain closed.
Even after centers are allowed to reopen, they face further financial losses, and many could close their businesses if restrictions on group sizes continue.
“You can’t go to work without child care. We have to make sure we don’t lose these programs,” said Chris Peusch, executive director of the Maryland State Child Care Association. “If you don’t lift the ratios, how are we going to pay our bills?”
The state has paid the tuition and fees of child care for essential workers, but providers have had to file for reimbursement, a process that has been rife with delays for some.
Many providers have not seen consistent income since centers closed in March and have had to lay off or furlough staff.
A survey completed by the Maryland Family Network, which guides families to child care centers and offers technical assistance to providers, revealed many providers fear they may have to close if they cannot care for enough children to maintain their businesses. Others have stated they are losing thousands of dollars per week due to the reduced attendance caused by COVID-19.
In a statement, the state education department said there are 4,000 providers currently operating with a total space of about 48,000 students, but that’s just a fraction of the 7,800 licensed centers in Maryland that served 170,000 children before centers closed in March.
Child care advocates have stressed the need for state and federal assistance to keep child care centers afloat during the pandemic and in the months to come.
“If half of these programs closed, it would amount to a fiscal, domestic, and education crisis unlike any our state has ever seen,” said Laura Weeldreyer, executive director of the Maryland Family Network.
Baltimore Sun Media reporters Luke Broadwater, Pamela Wood, Christina Tkacik, Alison Knezevich, Jean Marbella, James Whitlow, John-John Williams IV, Liz Bowie and Lorraine Mirabella contributed to this article.
