Maryland will implement a stricter face mask requirement and issue a travel advisory for high-risk areas, Governor Larry Hogan said Wednesday.
Maryland will implement a stricter face mask requirement and issue a travel advisory for states that are experiencing sudden increases in cases of the new coronavirus, Governor Larry Hogan said in an update on Wednesday.
At 5 pm on Friday, facial masks will be required inside public buildings and at outdoor events if it is not possible to maintain a safe physical distance of 6 feet between people.
“This expansion of the masking order is a factual, apolitical, and soundly science-based action,” said Hogan. “And while it can be a drawback, especially in the heat, wearing a mask is the best mitigation strategy we have to combat the virus.”
The states that have been placed on the travel notice are Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina, Nebraska and Idaho. Marylanders residents are advised to avoid these states if possible, and to be tested immediately if they are traveling back to Maryland from one of those areas.
There are 21 states that the federal government has considered “Red Zones” due to their high case numbers. Many of these states are advised to shut down parts of their economies to control the spread of the disease.
Hogan said that while Maryland was not on the list, it “was not immune” to seeing an increase in cases if CDC’s health guidelines were not closely followed.
Maryland
Number of confirmed cases: 86,285 (+761)
Probable and COVID-19 related deaths: 3,478 (+20)
Currently hospitalized: 571 (+27)
Recoveries: 5,592 (=)
Total number of tests: 1,160,443 (+15,747)
Hogan said that while Maryland is not dealing with the sharp increase in case numbers that many other states in the United States have seen in recent weeks, the recent increase in positivity rates justified a pause in reopening plans.
Maryland reported 761 new cases on Wednesday.
Hogan said the state sees its own rising rates of virus infections as a “stop sign” to reopen plans and that it will not move forward until the numbers show signs of stabilizing.
Through contact tracing, Hogan said the state found that the number one activity where Marylanders detected the virus was at family gatherings.
Maryland is currently in Phase Two of its reopening plan, and Hogan said no plans would be made to move the state to Phase Three “until it is safe, prudent and fully backed by the data and medical science to move forward. “
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Also at Wednesday’s briefing, Maryland Under Secretary of Health Fran Phillips announced that he would be stepping down from his post.
Dr. Jinlene Chan, currently assistant secretary of health, will play the role of undersecretary of health going forward.
Philips, who returned to office in 2018 after a brief retirement, has been a major presence in the state’s response to the pandemic, often before the public and offering information about the virus when it came to light.
Hogan said Phillips agreed to come out of retirement in 2018 to fill the role, but that he had only planned to stay there for a year. That year it became two, and Maryland found itself in the midst of a pandemic, and Phillips stayed for an additional five months to help coordinate the state’s response.
“I will always be proud of Maryland’s response to this pandemic and proud to serve on the Maryland Department of Health team of public health champions,” said Phillips.
“We have made great progress, but we have a long way to go,” said Phillips. “So Marylanders, I’m talking to you: we have to stick together.”
“We need to honor each other by wearing masks, keeping our distance, choosing to cut down on activities in person, and making smart decisions. We can put ourselves in control of this virus. What we choose to do today will save lives and keep Maryland strong. ”
For his contributions, Hogan presented Phillips with an award that recognizes his efforts in the department.
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