With COVID-19 diagnosed in 21 of Maryland’s 24 counties and the disease’s death toll increasing, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has issued another order designed to stem the virus’s spread. Effective at 5:00 on Monday evening, all “non-essential businesses” closed until the state of emergency ends.
Says Maryland’s Office of Legal Counsel, this “is not a shelter-in-place order.” But, “all Marylanders are encouraged to remain home, and employers are urged to promote work-from-home arrangements to the greatest extent possible.”
What businesses are allowed to remain open under the Order? According to the Office of Legal Counsel, the list is long and includes:
- pharmacies;
- pharmaceutical manufacturers;
- places of lodging;
- building and property maintenance companies;
- janitorial firms;
- laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry services;
- broadcasting companies and stations;
- cable television companies;
- telephone companies;
- banks and credit unions;
- payroll processing companies;
- grocery stores;
- farmers markets;
- convenience stores;
- wine, beer, and alcoholic beverage stores;
- pet supply stores,
- veterinary hospitals;
- lawyers and law firms;
- hospitals;
- clinics;
- transportation sector companies; and
- staffing and/or payroll services.
This list is not exhaustive.
Businesses subject to the Order should take care. Anyone who knowingly and willfully violates it shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and subject to imprisonment for up to one year, a fine up to $5,000, or both.
