03/23/2020
This morning, I enacted an executive order which closes all non-essential businesses, organizations, establishments, and facilities in Maryland effective at 5 p.m. today.
In addition to those businesses that have already been closed by our prior executive orders, this new executive order closes all those businesses NOT covered by the federal guidelines defining ‘critical infrastructure sectors,’ which include health care, food and agriculture, energy, public works, community-based government operations, the chemical, hazardous materials, and defense industrial base sectors, law enforcement and public safety, transportation, critical manufacturing, financial services, and water and wastewater.
Let me be clear: at this time we are not issuing or ordering a ‘shelter in place’ directive forcing people to stay home. However, we are telling all Marylanders to follow all of the directives we have issued and to follow the state law against crowds of more than 10 people. Unless you have an essential reason to leave your house, stay in your home.
Interpretive guidance for businesses:https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OLC-Interpretive-Guidance-COVID19-04.pdf
Federal guidelines for essential/non-essential designation: https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19
Business resources: businessexpress.maryland.gov/coronavirus
