Reopening Maryland: Non-Essential Retail Can Reopen In Baltimore City At 50% Capacity, City Won't Open Indoor Dining Yet
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore officials announced that non-essential retail can reopen at 50% capacity Friday night, but the city won't move into phase 2 of the state's recovery plan.
That means gyms, offices and nail salons will also remain closed in Baltimore city and indoor dining won't be an option.
The state of Maryland will allow indoor dining at 50% capacity starting Friday at 5 p.m. Gov. Larry Hogan announced the most recent changes to the state's restrictions on Wednesday.
Mayor Jack Young said the city saw an 8% increase in coronavirus cases.
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"Effective today at 5 pm, non-essential retail businesses can be opened in both the city with a maximum of 50% capacity," Young said. "I want to thank all of our small businesses for their patience and their commitment to keeping our residents, their customers, healthy and safe."
Young said that although retail shopping is a low-risk activity it is not without risk and urged people to wear masks as the city and state continues to reopen.
Young also addressed rumors he's heard about some restaurants reopening indoor dining anyway, despite the local order.
"I would like to address some of the rumors that have been brought to my attention about restaurants, planning to reopen for indoor seating in opposition to our local emergency board. Again, let me be very very clear, restaurants are not allowed to open for indoor dining," Young said.
He added that authorities will be conducting inspections of restaurants and businesses this weekend. Any businesses not complying with local orders will be shut down.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
