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PRESS RELEASE
Mayor Young, Health Commissioner Announce Renewing of Phase I Restrictions
Executive order lowers maximum occupancy of certain establishments, requires indoor dining close by 11 p.m.; Health Commissioner also revises citywide face covering requirement
BALTIMORE, MD. — Today, Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa announced the renewal of Phase I restrictions in light of climbing cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rate in Baltimore City. Mayor Young issued the following statement:
“I want to take this opportunity to remind all of our residents – the pandemic is still here, and is rapidly escalating in our communities,” Mayor Young said. “These restrictions are not being put into place lightly – our business owners are hurting, employees and their families are hurting. But after consulting with Dr. Dzirasa and our public health experts and reviewing the data, it became clear additional restrictions were needed in order to save lives.”
From October 12 to October 31, 2020, the 7-day average rate for new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people increased by 125% among City residents, and the percent positivity increased by 124%. From October 2 to November 7, 2020, the number of COVID-19 patients in acute care beds increased by 123%, and the number of COVID-19 patients in ICU beds increased by 113%. From September 30 to November 5, 2020, the daily number (7-day average) of COVID-19 admissions to city hospitals increased by 100%.
“Unfortunately, over the last month, we have seen our COVID-19 metrics aggressively move in the wrong direction,” Dr. Dzirasa said. “I cannot stress enough the impacts of the choices we will make in the coming days and weeks on the world around us. Our collective commitment to COVID-19 best practices – wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, avoiding gatherings – will dictate the number of lives we are able to save.”
Under the executive order, the following restrictions will be put in place beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12:
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Gatherings – gatherings at both indoor and outdoor locations, public or private, will be limited to 10 or fewer people unless the location has a fire marshal-rated maximum occupancy. If the location has a fire-marshal rated maximum occupancy, then the gathering is limited to 25% of that occupancy.
- Youth sports gatherings are allowed with no spectators, except for parents or legal guardians. Social distancing and face coverings will be required for those in attendance not participating in the sporting activity.
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Occupancy limits – Religious facilities, retail establishments and malls, indoor recreational establishments, casinos, fitness centers, personal services, theaters, indoor dining at food service establishments, outdoor entertainment venues, other recreational establishments, and other businesses are capped at up to 25% of maximum occupancy.
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Foodservice Establishments:
- Indoor dining rooms may remain open at 25% capacity and must close by 11 p.m.
- Foodservice establishments may not serve customers who are not seated and eating.
- Foodservice establishments may not serve customers beverages in indoor seating areas if they are not also eating.
- Businesses with BD7 or D tavern licenses and with a separate packaged goods section that was in operation prior to March 5, 2020, may operate those areas under Section IV of the Executive Order.
In addition to the new Phase I restrictions, the Mayor and Health Commissioner announced revisions to the City’s Health Order requiring residents to wear face-coverings. Under the revised order, people in Baltimore City who are two (2) or older will be required to wear face coverings when they are in public spaces indoors or outdoors, unless they fall under one of the exceptions listed in the order, which can be found here. An individual's nose and mouth need to be covered by the face covering.
“We know that face-coverings are critically important in stopping the transmission of COVID-19, and yet we continue to hear and see people avoiding wearing them in public,” Dr. Dzirasa said. “If you’re outside of your home, plan to wear a face-covering – it’s that simple. While there are certain exceptions, by and large, we should all be looking for ways to wear face coverings - ones that cover your nose and mouth - every single time we leave our homes.”
The executive order, which can be found here, goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. The health order went into effect on Friday, Nov. 6.
“I am once again imploring our residents – listen to our public health experts, wear your face coverings, and practice social distancing,” Mayor Young said. “We are now more than 8 months into this pandemic. There is simply no excuse for ignoring the guidance when we know it will save lives. And I want to thank our governor for continuing to remind residents that our local governments are leading the COVID-19 response in Maryland.”
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