MD Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate, Ends Outside Dining Restrictions

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Marylanders no longer have to wear their masks outside, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday in a move that follows new federal health guidance. Hogan also lifted all restrictions on outdoor dining.

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.

Masks are still needed for:

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

Hogan let restaurants expand to full indoor and outdoor capacity on March 12. 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.

As always, individual jurisdictions may be more restrictive. Counties may not be more lenient than the governor, however.

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."

Mass Vaccination Sites

Hogan additionally announced that Maryland will open direct scheduling at its mass vaccination sites. Residents previously had to preregister for an appointment. Health officials would then reach out when a dose was available to them.

That sign-up closes Thursday. Workers will contact everybody on the waiting list by the end of Friday, offering them an appointment for the inoculation.

Starting Saturday, Marylanders can schedule their appointments by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov. Residents who cannot leave their homes or need special assistance can dial 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

This change only applies to the state's high-volume immunization clinics. Other providers may still require preregistration.

Locals can also get a shot without a reservation at one of these walk-up or drive-through locations.

Maryland has 12 active mass vaccination sites located at:

• The Baltimore Convention Center
• Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium
• Upper Marlboro's Six Flags America
• Waldorf's Regency Furniture Stadium
• Salisbury's Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
• The former Wolf Furniture store in the Hagerstown Premium Outlets
• The Timonium Fairgrounds
• Germantown's campus of Montgomery College
• Greenbelt Station
• Frederick Community College
• Annapolis' Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
• Aberdeen's Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium

A final clinic will open Friday at The Mall in Columbia.

Vaccine Totals

Maryland has averaged 59,937 vaccines per day over the last week. That's down from the state's April 12 high of 69,892 daily doses.

This slowdown could stem from the temporary national pause in Johnson & Johnson inoculations. After a federal review, Maryland announced last week that its J&J immunizations will resume.

Hogan hopes to restore full capacity in May. The governor previously noted that the state has the infrastructure to dole out 100,000 shots each day.

Just over 1.9 million locals, or 31 percent of Marylanders, are fully vaccinated. Nearly 2.8 million, or 45 percent, have gotten at least one dose. About 80 percent of seniors have received at least one injection.

Maryland has more than 3,000 places to get the immunization. That includes 611 pharmacies and over 200 doctors’ offices.

Vaccine Resources

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

Catch up on the infection and inoculation metrics by visiting the state's data dashboard. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news.

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RELATED:

• How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In Maryland
• COVID-19 Vaccine Open To Marylanders 16 And Up Starting April 6
• MD Sees Biggest Drop Of COVID Cases, J&J Vaccine Usage Resumes
• 800 Mishandled Vaccine Doses Administered At Fort Meade
• Hogan Adds Vaccine Outreach; MD Passes 4M Doses

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