Governor Hogan Lifts Outdoor Mask Requirement Effective Inmediately and Notes from Governor Hogan’s 4/28 Press Conference

Governor Hogan Lifts Outdoor Mask Requirement Effective Inmediately and Notes from Governor Hogan’s 4/28 Press Conference

Local jurisdictions have the ability to create their own guidelines, so Montgomery County must lift requirements for it to be effective locally.

These notes come directly from Kata D. Hall’s tweets (deputy communications director for Governor Hogan):

• VACCINE UPDATE.
-Maryland surpasses more than 4.5 million vaccines administered
-Nearly 85% of Marylanders over 65 have been vaccinated
-Over 60% of Marylanders 18 and older have been vaccinated

• COVID DATA UPDATE.
-Case rate per 100,000 has dropped by 33% over the past 2 weeks
-Positivity rate has dropped to 3.89%
-Hospitalizations are down 44% from winter peak

• OUTDOOR MASKING. Effective immediately, masks and face coverings are no longer required outdoors. Lifting this order is in line with the latest CDC guidance and follows the advice of leading public health experts.

• Marylanders who have not yet been vaccinated are strongly encouraged to continue wearing masks, especially when physical distancing is not possible.

• Masks and face coverings are still required at all large ticketed venues, as well as indoors at all public and private businesses, and when using public transportation.

Amended Masking Order Available Here.

• OUTDOOR DINING. Effective Saturday, May 1, all restrictions will be lifted for outdoor dining. Standing service may resume outdoors at bars and restaurants, and all capacity and distancing restrictions related to outdoor dining will be lifted.

• Seated service and physical distancing requirements will remain in place indoors at bars and restaurants, and individuals who are not vaccinated should continue to be cautious.

• Governor Hogan: “We expect to be able to take additional actions in the weeks ahead and to return to a sense of normalcy…the fastest way to put this pandemic behind us once and for all is for every single eligible Marylander to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

• VACCINE EQUITY TASK FORCE. The Maryland VETF has now completed over 200 missions and is adding dozens of clinics each week, including a new clinic opening at Morgan State University on Friday.

• MASS VAX SITES. Maryland now has 12 mass vaccination sites open and fully operational. The 13th and final site at the Mall in Columbia (Howard Co) will open Friday, and is anticipating a record opening day of 1,000 vaccinations.

• DIRECT SCHEDULING. Beginning Saturday, May 1, all eligible Marylanders will be able to go online (covidvax.maryland.gov) or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX and immediately book an appointment at any of the state’s mass vax sites.

• To prepare for direct scheduling, pre-registration will end tomorrow, and by the end of the day Friday, everyone who has already pre-registered will be contacted for an appointment.

• If you would rather avoid the appointment process, walk-up or drive-thru options are now available at 9 mass vaccination sites.

• NO ARM LEFT BEHIND. If you require additional assistance, especially if you are homebound or need transportation, please contact our call center, provide your information, and we will directly connect you with a vaccinator.

• COLLEGE STUDENTS. We are reserving large blocks of appointments for university students and major employers. All college students in Maryland are encouraged to begin the vaccination process here, even if they may end up getting their second shot in their home state.