Frequently Asked Questions about the Baltimore COVID-19 Executive Orders
What are the new Executive Orders for Baltimore City?
On March 22nd, 2021, Mayor Brandon Scott signed an executive order affecting many different businesses in Baltimore City. This executive order went into effect on March 26th at 6:00 am.
On November 6th, Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa issued a new health order, now requiring face covering to be worn in all public spaces. The Health order went into effect on November 6th at 5:00 pm. On February 19th, Health Commissioner Dr. Dzirasa issued a new health advisory, encouraging residents to refrain from attending either public or private indoor gatherings of more than 10 individuals.
Restaurants are now required to keep a log of contact information for patrons, for contact tracing purposes. An example form can be downloaded here.
March 26th Executive Order Summary
These restrictions go into effect on Friday, March 26th at 6:00am.
Health Indicator Assessment Period
- Will decrease from every four weeks to a reevaluation every two weeks
Gatherings
- Gatherings will need to comply with any relevant capacity based upon the space in which they're located.
Religious Facilities
- Limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
Retail Establishments and Malls
- Limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
Indoor Recreational Establishments
- All indoor recreation sites except hooah/cigar lounges will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity.
- Hookah and cigar lounges may operate retail areas at 50% capacity, but no smoking is allowed on site.
Outdoor Recreational Establishments
- Limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
Organized Amateur Sports
- Allowed with certain guidelines in place
Fitness Centers
- Limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
- Fitness classes are allowed- 10 person limit or 25% capacity, whichever is greater- social distancing and masks required.
Casinos
- Limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
- Dining areas allowed to reopen, following the requirements of foodservice establishments
Libraries
- Allowed to reopen at 50% capacity
Museums Zoos, Aquariums
- Limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
Foodservice Establishments
- Outdoor dining can resume at 75% capacity. If space is tented, the tent needs to be open on all sides.
- Indoor dining can resume at 50% capacity
- Bars without food licenses will also be allowed to reopen- 75% outdoors, 50% indoors.
- Removal of one-hour time limit for foodservice establishments
- Carry-out, delivery, and drive-through service may continue.
- All food service establishments must keep a log of contact information for patrons and staff for contact tracing purposes.
Personal Services
- Limited to 50% of maximum occupancy
- Staff must wear face-covering at all times while indoors
- Services must be provided on an appointment-only basis, and a log must be kept of names of customers, staff providing services, and other residents who enter the shop
Theaters and Outdoor Entertainment Venues
- Live streaming of performance is allowed.
- Exemption on mask order on performers forlive and live-streamed performance with appropriate barriers in place.
- Indoor theaters are limited to the lesser of 50% occupancy or 100 persons.
- Outdoor entertainment venues are limited to the lesser of 75% occupancy of 250 persons.
