BALTIMORE — Less than 24 hours after being sworn in as Baltimore Mayor, Brandon Scott imposed sweeping new COVID-19 restrictions within city limits.
Most notably effective Friday at 5 p.m., Scott says all restaurants will have to shut down for indoor and outdoor dining.
Carry-out, delivery and drive-thru services are exempt.
Just yesterday, the Restaurant Association of Maryland put out a survey that found 45 percent of the state's restaurant owners are doubtful they will be able to stay in business over the next six-months.
Following Scott's announcement, the association says that number is sure to increase despite the new Mayor's claims that grants are available to help restaurants make it through.
"The reality is that these grant amounts are nowhere near enough to ensure that restaurants will be able to survive these restrictions. These grants also do not help the thousands of servers and bartenders that now find themselves without a job in the middle of the holiday season," said Marshall Weston, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland.
Restaurants however aren't the only businesses being forced to close.
Adult entertainment venues, theaters, cigar lounges, hookah bars, bingo halls, skating rinks, and bowling alleys also have to.
This includes any indoor and outdoor live performances or events.
Recreation and Park programs are now canceled as well.
At the same time, public and private gatherings will be extremely limited.
No more than 10 people are permitted at any indoor social gathering including private residences, according to Scott.
Outdoor social gatherings will be capped at 25.
Here is a breakdown of specific businesses and how the order affects them.
The below indoor establishments can only operate at 25 percent maximum occupancy.
- Religious Institutions/Worship Services
- Fitness Centers (No classes)
- Horseshoe Casino (No food or drink service)
- Personal Services such as hair and nail salons (By appointment only. Operators will need to maintain a log with all client information for contact tracing purposes)
- Maryland Zoo
- National Aquarium
- Retail Stores and Shopping Malls
- Golf Courses and driving ranges
- Archery and Shooting ranges
- Marinas, boat tours and rentals
- Campgrounds
- Horse boarding and riding facilities
- Day camps
As of Wednesday morning, Baltimore City has reported 26,897 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 585 deaths.
Watch Scott's entire press conference for yourself.
Read the executive order below.
