County Retailers Who Want To Expand Shopping Capacity Need Permit

BETHESDA, MD — Large retail and big-box stores that want to have more than 150 shoppers in their business have until Monday, Dec. 21 to request permission from Montgomery County.

Letter of Approval requests must be submitted online by 5 p.m. To receive approval, establishments must submit a business plan that details how they'll:

• monitor the number of people on-site at any given time
• enforce social distancing measures at entrances, exits, and check-out lines
• follow modified staffing strategies to reduce employee exposure

In order to operate at a greater capacity, businesses must receive approval from the county by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Without the go-ahead from the county, capacity at large retail establishments will be limited to one person per 200 square feet and capped at 150 people.

The capacity restrictions are part of an executive order that went into effect on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

SEE ALSO:

• County Suspends Indoor Dining, Reimposes COVID-19 Restrictions