New Restrictions
- Hospitals should avoid elective procedures that are not urgent or life-saving.
- Hospitals that are full or nearing capacity are permitted to transfer patients to other facilities that can provide the necessary care.
- Most hospital visitations are prohibited. Exceptions include: some end-of-life care, obstetrics, parents or guardians of minors, and support for people with disabilities.
- Nursing home visits will generally be limited to compassionate care visits, and all visitors must have proof of a negative COVID test result within 72 hours prior to visit.
- Mandatory, twice-weekly testing is now required for all staff at Maryland nursing homes, and mandatory weekly testing is required for all nursing home residents.
- Rapid Response Teams can be deployed to nursing homes and other outbreak sites, to triage and to supplement staffing needs.
- All bars, restaurants, and facilities where food and/or alcohol are served will be required to close by 10 p.m. Takeout food service can continue after 10 p.m.
- All businesses and religious institutions statewide will revert to 50% capacity restrictions. *
- Fans are no longer permitted at collegiate or professional stadium or at racetracks.
*More stringent capacity requirements are already in effect in Prince George’s County. The Maryland restaurant and bar restrictions and the reduction in capacity orders take effect on November 20 at 5 p.m.
The governor encouraged mask wearing, social distancing, and getting tested after returning home from college, before visiting an older relative, or after returning from any out-of-state travel.