Anne Arundel Ends Rules For Outdoor Dining, Wearing Masks Outside

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel lifted its rules on outdoor dining and outside mask usage on Thursday. The decision aligns the county with Maryland's latest regulations.

"Rescinding this order shows we are getting closer to pre-pandemic life," County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a press release. "We need folks to continue getting vaccinated so that we can take more steps in that direction."

Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday permitted jurisdictions to ease these restrictions. As always, individual counties may be more restrictive. They may not be more lenient than the governor, however.

New Rules

Pittman let restaurants expand to full indoor and outdoor capacity on March 12. That move matched Hogan's reopening timeline.

Parties still had to stay seated and remain 6 feet apart. Customers also were not allowed to stand at bars.

These regulations now only apply to indoor dining. Outdoor spaces no longer have to distance their tables, and outside bar service may resume.

The governor's previous mask mandate required residents to cover up in all public places where physical distancing was not possible. This included downtown areas and shopping centers.

The new rule still requires masks for:

• All indoor public places
• Public transportation
• Large ticketed venues like stadiums, even if they are outside

Anne Arundel County last eased coronavirus regulations on Tuesday. That's when Pittman revoked all caps on social gatherings.

Large venues are still limited to half capacity. This includes indoor and outdoor facilities for:

• Concerts
• Movies (Except drive-in theaters)
• Performances
• Sports
• Weddings

"People who are fully vaccinated can engage in more activities outdoors without a mask," Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman added. "People who aren't yet vaccinated should continue to mask outdoors in most settings."

Kalyanaraman's updated health order takes effect immediately. It is posted here.

Current CDC Recommendations

Hogan's decisions mostly align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC released updated mask guidance on Tuesday, clearing fully vaccinated residents to go maskless outside. The organization still recommends that they wear face coverings in large crowds.

The governor took it a step further. His new executive order allows everybody to drop the masks outside, regardless of their immunization status.

Hogan thinks it isn't realistic to check the inoculation record of every maskless person outdoors. He also pointed to evidence that the virus is less transmissible in the open air.

The governor encouraged unvaccinated locals to wear face coverings if they can't physically distance outside. He also advised Marylanders to move their gatherings outdoors to stay safer.

"We expect to be able to take additional actions in the weeks ahead and to return to a sense of normalcy," Hogan said at a press conference. "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."

Health Metrics

Thirty-one percent of Anne Arundel County residents are fully immunized. About 44 percent have gotten at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

The case rate and percent positivity are at their lowest clips since March 17. On Sunday, hospitalizations were at their best mark since April 2. Inpatients have since increased slightly.

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

Anybody 16 or older can now get the coronavirus vaccine at providers across the state. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot.

Catch up on the infection and inoculation metrics in Anne Arundel County with our most recent numbers update. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news.

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RELATED:

• Vaccines Rise, Cases Fall In Anne Arundel County
• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Anne Arundel County
• MD Sees Biggest Drop Of COVID Cases, J&J Vaccine Usage Resumes
• Social Gathering Restrictions Lifted In Anne Arundel
• MD Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate, Ends Outside Dining Restrictions

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.