Frequently Asked Questions about the Baltimore COVID-19 Executive Orders

What are the new Executive Orders for Baltimore City?

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.

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.

Restaurants are now required to keep a log of contact information for patrons, for contact tracing purposes. An example form can be downloaded here.  

On April 30th, 2021, Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa issued a new health order related to outdoor mask-wearing, acknowledging the latest CDC and State Guidance, that the risk of disease transmission outdoors is extremely low for vaccinated individuals outdoors. Guidance related to wearings masks indoors has not changed. 

March 26th Phase 1 Executive Order Summary

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.

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