Capacity Exemption Granted, 26 MoCo Businesses Allowed More Than 150 People Inside at Once
Updated to include the names of the businesses that were granted the exemption.
On December 15, the Montgomery County government approved an executive order suspending indoor dining, establishing maximum capacity for retail establishments, limiting indoor sports gatherings, and more.
The executive order stated that maximum capacity for retail will be reduced to one person per 200 square feet of retail space—not to exceed a maximum of 150 people. This executive order also offered the following information for businesses wishing to request an exemption:
“Large retail establishments wishing to accommodate more than 150 people after Wednesday, December 23 must request a Letter of Approval that includes a business’ plan for monitoring the number of people in the building at any given time and provide information on how social distancing will be ensured at the entrance, exit and check-out lines. All requests for a Letter of Approval must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21.”
As first reported by Bethesda Beat, 26 MoCo retail businesses were approved for this exemption, including:
• Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase
• Bed Bath & Beyond in Rockville
• Walmart in Germantown
• Dick’s Sporting Goods in Gaithersburg
• Dick’s Sporting Goods in Wheaton
• JCPenney in Wheaton
• Target in Germantown
• Target in Calverton
• Target in Gaithersburg
• Target in Wheaton
• Target in Bethesda (5700 Bou Ave.)
• Target in Bethesda (6831 Wisconsin Ave.)
• The Home Depot in Aspen Hill (temporarily approved pending further information)
• Giant Food (26 stores)
• Safeway
• Lowe’s
• Macy’s
• Burlington
• Bloomingdale’s
• Kohl’s
• Weis Markets
• Costco Wholesale
• Harris Teeter
• Sam’s Club (awaiting additional information)
• Wegmans Food Markets in Germantown
Some store locations were not included, so it is unclear which specific location(s) of the store has been granted the exemption.
As of right now, the amended capacity restrictions for these businesses are not publicly available.
By: Michelle Katz @pike.and.rozay
