Capacity Limits Lifted On Most Prince George's Businesses

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County on Wednesday announced that it will lift its capacity limits on most businesses. Establishments were previously capped at 50 percent occupancy. The change takes effect Monday at 5:01 p.m.

"Due to a continued decline in key COVID-19 metrics and increasing vaccination rates, we are now at a point where we can begin to safely to lift capacity restrictions for many of our businesses," County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said in a press release. "I want to thank our business community for continuing to take the necessary precautions to keep residents and employees safe over this past year."

The move mostly aligns with Gov. Larry Hogan's Wednesday announcement that all establishments can return to 100 percent volume. Hogan's declaration allowed large venues, like stadiums and arenas, to resume full operations.

As always, counties can be stricter. They may not be more lenient than the governor, however.

Prince George's took advantage of the opportunity to be more restrictive. The county will let large venues operate at half capacity.

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Current Coronavirus Restrictions

These businesses can return to full occupancy, so long as they maintain 6 feet of distancing between customers:

• Amusement parks
• Bingo halls
• Bowling alleys
• Casinos and gaming facilities
• Gyms, fitness centers and other indoor physical activities – face coverings must still be worn when working out
• Indoor and outdoor pools – both public and private
• Personal services (beauty salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, massage parlors, etc.) - must still operate by appointment only
• Places/Houses of worship
• Restaurants – both indoor and outdoor dining
• Retail
• Senior Centers – allowed if fully vaccinated

Restrictions are still in place for these establishments:

• Banquet halls, receptions and meeting rooms in hotels, conference centers and similar establishments – maintaining 50% of maximum capacity
• Day camps – allowed in groups of no more than 25 participants indoors and 50 participants outdoors, with other safety requirements in place
• Residential camps – allowed in groups with a maximum of 25 adults and campers in each sleeping area, with other safety requirements in place
• Concert venues – maintaining 50% of maximum capacity
• Outdoor recreational activities (campgrounds, shooting ranges, archery, etc.) – may operate at 50% of maximum capacity
• Professional and collegiate sporting events – number of spectators limited to no more than 50% of capacity of the stadium. Tailgating is prohibited
• Social and fraternal clubs – conferences, banquets and meetings open to the public are limited to 50% of maximum capacity. For regular dining operations, these establishments may operate at full capacity, with social distancing, similar to restaurants
• Youth and amateur sports - Teams are limited to the players on the official rosters, coaches and up to 12 additional participants acting on an official game capacity. Number of persons present (apart from players, coaches, and others in official capacity) may not exceed 50 persons. Spectators may exceed 50 solely to accommodate the presence of two parents or guardians per youth participant

The county will also retain its social gathering restriction. Crowds must not exceed 20 people inside or 50 people outside.

Prince George's last eased coronavirus regulations on April 30. That's when the county revoked its outdoor mask mandate.

Face coverings are still required for:

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

Hogan on Wednesday mentioned that the state will lift its indoor mask requirement when 70 percent of Maryland adults have gotten at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. About 65 percent have already met this benchmark. Alsobrooks has not yet said whether she will follow this guidance.

Health metrics improved statewide as the inoculation became more accessible. The positivity rate in Prince George's County fell to an all-time low when the new immunization percentage reached a record high.

"As we move to this next phase of reopening, I want to encourage everyone who has not been vaccinated yet to do so as soon as possible," Alsobrooks added in the release. "You can protect yourself and your loved ones."

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 Prince George's 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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• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Prince George's County
• Bowie Baysox Start Season, Welcome Fans At Limited Capacity
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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.