Protesters Hurl Insults At Elrich As He Lays Out Reopening Plan

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was met with jeers and boos when he announced his plans to reopen the county during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at a press conference in downtown Kentlands on Thursday, Elrich said the county will enter the first phase of reopening on Monday, June 1, at 6 a.m. That means restaurants and bars with outdoor seating can reopen, child-care facilities can serve children of essential and phase one reopening employees, barbershops and hair salons can take clients on an appointment-only basis, and day camps can resume outdoor activities in groups no more than 10.

Protesters — some not wearing face masks and at least one other donning a #ReopenMaryland shirt — criticized the announcement, arguing that the county isn't reopening fast enough. A few hurled insults at the county executive, calling him a "Nazi" and a "fascist."

Until Thursday, Montgomery County was the only jurisdiction in the state that didn't set a date to reopen.

On May 15, Gov. Larry Hogan lifted coronavirus restrictions in the state, but allowed harder hit jurisdictions — like Montgomery and Prince George's counties — to delay reopening.

Both counties continue to have the highest number of coronavirus deaths and cases in the state. As of Thursday, COVID-19 has claimed the lives of 542 Montgomery County residents and infected 10,752. Prince George's County has recorded 14,508 positive infections and 506 fatalities.

On Wednesday night, Hogan called out both counties, saying they "ought to move forward" because of declining hospitalization and death rates.

For weeks, Elrich did not announce a reopening date, saying the county needed to focus less on a specific date and more on what had to be done to reopen safely. Those reopening benchmarks can be found here.

Now that the county is seeing improvements in key metrics — such as decreases in hospitalizations and deaths — Elrich says the county is ready to enter phase one of reopening.

"This is an important first step," said Elrich. "But it is a first step, and restrictions are still in place. I know we are all eager to resume our activities, but based on careful discussions with our County Health Officer Dr. Gayles, we have identified certain restrictions that can be lifted. I urge you to follow the guidelines so that we can keep moving forward and not have spikes in the number of cases. This first phase can be successful if all of us do our part and follow the guidelines."

Here's What Phase One Means:

• Retail establishments are curbside only
• Restaurants and bars with outdoor seating can reopen (curbside pick-up continues)
• Child care can open for children of essential and phase one reopening employees
• Barbershops and hair salons must operate by appointment-only
• Car washes can do exterior cleaning only
• Manufacturing can fully reopen with precautions and guidance
• Outdoor day camps are limited to nine children and one counselor
• Low-contact outdoor youth sports are allowed
• Golf courses, archery, shooting ranges, marinas, campgrounds, horseback riding facilities, and tennis courts are still open

What's Not Allowed Under Phase One:

• Swimming pools (licensing and inspection can be requested and conducted)
• Senior centers
• Fitness centers
• Movie theaters
• Shopping malls
• Nail salons