By Josalyn Perez
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday lifted the state’s outdoor mask mandate in Maryland and all restrictions for outdoor dining.
Face masks will still be required at large ticketed venues as well as indoors at public facilities and private businesses, and public transportation, Hogan said.
Hogan cautioned that people who are not vaccinated were at risk of hospitalization and death, adding that they should continue to wear masks where they cannot socially distance and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“Masks and face coverings are no longer required outdoors in the state of Maryland,” Hogan said.
Starting Saturday, Hogan said “all restrictions will be lifted for outdoor dining.” Outdoors standing service at bars and restaurants may resume and capacity and social distancing limits will no longer apply.
According to CDC guidelines, released on Tuesday, vaccinated people could safely gather or conduct activities outside without a mask except for crowded settings and venues. Those who have not been vaccinated can as well, in some cases.
According to the AARP, Maryland is one of 14 states that have recently lifted mask mandates in some fashion.
Hogan said that starting on Saturday all eligible Marylanders will be able to book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine buy visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or by calling the state’s vaccination support center at 1-855-634-6829.
The governor said the 13th and final mass vaccination site will open in Howard County on Friday at the Mall in Columbia. The state is anticipating 1,000 vaccination to be given when the site opens.
Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball have both decided to align to the new policy.
“As Baltimore County remains in alignment with the state’s next steps, we must continue to stay vigilant, follow the guidance of scientists, and get fully vaccinated as soon as possible to preserve the progress we’re making together,” Olszewski said in a statement Wednesday.
Along with lifting the outdoor mask mandate in Howard County, Ball has decided to partially lift COVID-19 restrictions on spectators for activities held at Howard County indoor athletic facilities, in effect at 5 p.m. on Friday.
“I’m so proud of the progress that we have made in the last several months in getting our residents vaccinated and keeping our positivity rates and case count rates down,” Ball said in a statement Thursday morning.
More than 4.5 million vaccines have been administered in the state, Hogan said.
He added that Maryland has vaccinated more than 60% of residents over the age of 18, lowered cases of COVID-19 and has the lowest transmission rate in the country. The state’s current positivity rate is 3.77%, down from over 5% about a month ago.