Harford County Aligns With Mask Guidance From Maryland Governor

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Harford County has aligned its masking and outdoor dining policies with new guidance from Gov. Larry Hogan.

Starting Saturday, May 1, Maryland lifted all restrictions on outdoor dining capacity, no longer requiring physical distancing between tables and no longer mandating masks outside. In addition, people are permitted to stand at outdoor bars. Previously, all service was seated only.

“Harford County will lift outdoor mask requirements and lift restrictions on outdoor dining as outlined ... by Gov. Hogan," Harford County Executive Barry Glassman said.

Inside, patrons must still be spaced out and wearing face coverings unless eating or drinking.

The governor said that more restrictions may soon be eased.

“As our vaccinations continue to expand and our health metrics continue to improve, we expect to be able to take additional actions in the weeks ahead and to return to a sense of normalcy,” Hogan said. “However, I want to stress once again that 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."

More than 32 percent of Harford County residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Monday, May 3, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Statewide, over 35 percent of Maryland residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19, state health officials reported.

"With our drive-thru mass vaccination site open at Ripken Stadium, I continue to encourage everyone to get a vaccine and stay safe," Glassman said.

Marylanders 16 and older can book an appointment online to get vaccinated online or by calling the state's COVID-19 vaccination support center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

See Also:

• Schedule COVID-19 Shots At Maryland Mass Vaccination Sites
• MD Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate, Ends Outside Dining Restrictions

Face coverings are still required in Maryland at large ticketed venues outside as well as when inside public spaces, while inside private businesses and while using public transportation.

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

Fully vaccinated people can engage in more activities than unvaccinated people, including these, according to the CDC:

• Fully vaccinated workers no longer need to be restricted from work following an exposure as long as they are asymptomatic.
• Fully vaccinated residents of non-health care congregate settings no longer need to quarantine following a known exposure.
• Fully vaccinated people can visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
• Fully vaccinated people can visit with unvaccinated people (including children) from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
• Fully vaccinated people can participate in outdoor activities and recreation without a mask, except in certain crowded settings and venues.
• Fully vaccinated people can resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
• Fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States.
• Fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings.
• Fully vaccinated people can refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
• Fully vaccinated people can refrain from routine screening testing if asymptomatic and feasible (in non-health care settings).

See the full CDC guidance.

Anthony Bellano contributed to this article.