Restriction On Bar, Restaurant Hours To Lift In Baltimore County

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — After Gov. Larry Hogan announced plans to allow restaurants and bars to resume serving customers after 10 p.m. Monday, County Executive Jonny Olszewski said he plans to follow suit.

"By continuing to align with the state, Baltimore County is providing clarity for our residents —though these steps do not mean we can let our guard down," Olszewski said in a statement.

"It’s critical that we all continue to do everything we can to slow the spread of this virus," Olszewski said.

Baltimore County has 46,618 confirmed cases of the virus and 1,098 COVID-19 deaths, according to state health data released Thursday, Jan. 28.

Hogan restricted capacity at restaurants Nov. 10 from 75 to 50 percent, and state health officials advised against indoor gatherings of more than 25 and travel to certain states.

He ordered bars and restaurants to close their businesses from serving patrons in person late at night, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., starting Friday, Nov. 20. The decision was made with coronavirus task force members and industry representatives who found "compliance with public health protocols drops dramatically later in the evening," Hogan said at the time. Takeout and delivery operations were still allowed to continue.

He also ordered police to fan out the night before Thanksgiving to discourage gatherings and travel.

"This dangerous disease is still with us, and I urge all our residents and businesses to continue to follow the best public health guidance," Olszewski said in a statement Thursday evening. "That means continuing to wear face coverings and socially distancing wherever possible."

Restaurants and bars, which had been closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily to prevent the spread of the virus, will be allowed to reopen at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, the governor said.

“Baltimore County has taken significant steps to combat the COVID-19 pandemic while gradually and safely reopening our economy," Olszewski said. "As with every step we have taken, we will continue to monitor this situation and will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to protect the public’s health."

See Also:

• Hogan Eases Restaurant Regulations As Coronavirus Metrics Improve
• Baltimore County Nursing Home, Group Living Facility Virus Data
• New COVID Policing Unit To Launch In Maryland On Thanksgiving Eve