More Businesses Can Reopen Under Phase 2; Soccer Is Permitted

ROCKVILLE, MD — Bowling alleys, museums, and art galleries that were closed since March can now reopen in Montgomery County.

These establishments were initially told they couldn't operate under phase two of the county's coronavirus reopening plan. But an amended executive order — which received unanimous approval from the County Council on Monday — changed all of that.

The changes to COVID-19 safety guidelines come with restrictions, however.

Like other businesses that are open in the county, bowling alleys, museums, and art galleries must comply with capacity limits and social distancing regulations.

Bowling alleys may open, provided that staff:

• limit their capacity to 50 percent or to 50 people (whichever is lower)
• clean all equipment (i.e., balls, shoes) and spaces (i.e., lanes, tables, seats) between each use with CDC- and EPA-approved products

Museums and art galleries can reopen, provided that staff:

• limit one patron per 200 square feet
• shut down exhibits that require visitors to touch the displays

Executive Order 098-20 doesn't just affect these businesses. It also modifies the definition of a face covering, recategorizes soccer as a medium-risk sport, and sets other limits for athletic events.

Face Coverings

Face coverings — bandanas, scarfs, medical-grade masks — now must cover you mouth, nose, and chin.

Like the previous executive order, this one requires everyone to wear a mask in public unless they are:

• children under the age of two or children with a developmental or physical condition
• have a health condition or disability that makes it difficult to wear a face covering

A face covering is required in various public settings, including:

• on public transportation
• indoors at any location where members of the public are generally permitted, such as
  • common areas in apartments and condo buildings
  • supermarkets
  • retail stores
  • gyms and fitness centers
  • restaurants and other food service establishments
• outdoors (when physical distancing isn't possible)

Soccer

The revised executive order recategorizes soccer from a high- to medium-risk sport, which means games and scrimmages are now permitted.

"There is still a national disagreement about where soccer should be placed — ultimately, whether it qualifies as a higher risk or medium-risk sport," Dr. Earl Stoddard, the county's head of emergency management, said Wednesday. "We have moved it to the medium-risk category, consistent with the rest of the state of Maryland."

But in order for soccer to proceed, Stoddard said that all participants — be it players, coaches, or spectators — must wear face coverings. That goes for all sports, except for ones where wearing a mask poses a bonafide, serious risk to someone's health.

But those exceptions, he said, are "few and far between in terms of medical allowances for not wearing face coverings."

Athletic Activities and Games

Under the amended order, a sport's risk is determined by the Maryland Sports Commission Return to Play Committee Report, with the following exceptions:

• flag football is considered to be a high-risk sport
• solo kayaking/canoeing is considered to be low risk;
• tandem kayaking/canoeing is considered to be low risk if participants are from the same household

Tournaments are still prohibited unless the county issues a letter of approval.

Sports played outside must follow outdoor gathering guidelines. There can't be more than 50 people on or close to the field. That includes staff, coaches, players, and spectators.

According to Stoddard, more than one game can take place on the same field if people follow proper outdoor gathering guidelines.

"I do know, commonly within soccer, there are multiple games going on within the same fielding space. In order for those to be permitted under the gathering limitations, they have to be physically separated from one another in such a way that you cannot have intermingling of those groups of 50," Stoddard said. "We are happy to work with organizations that are attempting to hold those games."

Under the order, Montgomery County also prohibits sporting events with teams from outside the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.