[MD-Sligo] FW: Gov. Hogan ordered MD restaurants, theaters closed today at 5

[Deborah]

From: Francie Gilman [mailto:franciegilman at gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 1:17 PM
To: Charles Crawford <ccrawford at rcn.com>; Debbie <deborahb14 at verizon.net>; Patrick Sheehan <pat.sheehan1 at verizon.net>; Penny Reeder <penny.reeder at gmail.com>; Sue Crawford <suecrawford at rcn.com>
Subject: Gov. Hogan ordered MD restaurants, theaters closed today at 5

 

Here’s the text of the article from Bethesda Magazine:

 


UPDATED: Maryland orders restaurants, bars, theaters, gyms to close; police will enforce


'We’re not fooling around anymore,' Hogan says


BY BRIANA ADHIKUSUMA

| Published: 2020-03-16 11:47



Gov. Larry Hogan

FILE PHOTO

Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday morning ordered all restaurants, bars, movie theaters and gyms across the state to shut down by 5 p.m. today as the latest measure during a state of emergency to halt the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Drive-through and carry-out orders will be allowed.

Hogan also increased restrictions on public gathering. Previously, no more than 250 people could congregate in one spot. The new limit is 50 people.

Hogan said he enacted an emergency order to carry out these new measures, which will be strictly enforced. He said 250 state troopers are ready to be deployed.

He said police and the National Guard will work together on enforcement.

“We’re not fooling around anymore,” Hogan said.

Grocery stores, gas stations, banks, pharmacies, and food delivery services are among the businesses that can remain open.

Hogan also has ordered the state Department of Health to assess reopening closed hospital facilities across the state. He said the department needs to take whatever measures are necessary to immediately get another 6,000 beds.

He also ordered the department to establish and implement appropriate policies and procedures for receiving, stockpiling and distributing all assets received by the state from the strategic national stockpile.

“As I have repeatedly stressed, we should continue to expect the number of cases to dramatically and rapidly rise,” Hogan said “We have never faced anything like this before.”

He activated the Medical Reserve Corps, a network of volunteers. Of the 5,000 trained volunteers, 700 are being deployed.

Any medical practitioner with a valid out-of-state or expired license will be allowed to practice during the state of emergency.

“It is impossible to know how long this threat will continue,” Hogan said. “What I do know is we cannot afford to wait to take action.”

Of the Maryland National Guard, 1,000 soldiers and airmen have been fully activated. Another 1,200 guardmen are on enhanced readiness status.

Hogan prohibited any utilities from shutting off service to customers during the emergency and charging any late fees He also prohibited the eviction of any tenant during the emergency.

The state now has the capability of providing three meals a day and a snack to students through a federal waiver. Hogan said there are 138 centers already providing meals across the state.

In addition, nine of the Marylanders who were stranded aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship on the West Coast because of positive cases of coronavirus will be arriving home and be in the care of the National Guard.

“While these measures seem extreme, if we do not take them now, it may be too late,” Hogan said.

This story will be updated.

 

 

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