Maryland Gov. Hogan announces closure of nonessential businesses due to coronavirus pandemic



In stepped-up efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday the state was ordering closed all nonessential companies, building on-the-fly hospitals in Baltimore and dedicating millions of dollars to help save small businesses.

The flurry of actions from the governor came as the Republican executive condemned some Marylanders for engaging in “irresponsible and reckless behavior" by gathering in large crowds in violation of an order limiting groups to 10. Hogan said the closure of additional businesses, including retail stores that had been allowed to remain open, was necessary to “slow the spread” of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

“Let me repeat, once again as strongly as I possibly can: if you are engaged in this activity, you are breaking the law and you are literally endangering the lives of your family friends and fellow citizens,” Hogan said.

The order, which takes effect at 5 p.m. today, does not include essential or critical industries as defined by the federal government: health care, law enforcement, emergency workers, food, energy, water, transportation, public works, communications, government, critical manufacturing, financial services, chemicals and defense. Restaurant carryouts, liquor stores and day care centers are among the businesses that can remain open.

Big box stores will remain open, but Hogan said he has asked local law enforcement to help those retailers deal with crowd control.
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Hogan also announced a number of programs to help businesses through the economic shock caused by the pandemic.

The state is providing two new emergency relief funds through the state departments of commerce and labor to help small businesses and nonprofits, one that offers loans and one that offers grants.

The grant fund will offer up to $10,000 for organizations with fewer than 50 employees for payroll expenses, mortgage payments and utilities. A fund will offer low-interest loans of up to $50,000 for organizations with up to 50 employees, with zero interest for a limited time.

The state Department of Labor is offering a $7 million fund to help companies avoid laying off workers. This money will be flexible, including being used for liability insurance to change business models, to help employees telework or clean their facilities. Applications will receive a response within two days.

Hogan said the nation’s governors are going to push President Trump in a call today to provide “major economic stimulus money” directly to the state to help people who have been impacted by the virus.

The governor and state officials have already taken a number of measures to slow the pandemic in the state, including ordering the temporary closure of public schools, bars, sit-down restaurants, senior centers, limiting gathering sizes and public transportation and postponing next month’s primary election.

“I know how incredibly difficult this is on each and everyone one of you," Hogan said. "There is a great deal of fear and anxiety. The truth is, none of us really know how bad it’s going to get or how long it’s going to last, but I can promise that there are a great deal, a great many dedicated people doing some tremendous things, working around the clock, doing their best to help keep the people of Maryland safe.


Hogan said whether the actions Maryland has taken — from closing schools and bars and restaurants and other measures — have been successful will be hard to know. The goal, he said, is to “slow the curve” and prevent people from becoming infected, or dying.

“We also know we have not yet hit the peak; we know the numbers will dramatically rise,” Hogan said.

The Republican governor’s latest edict stops short of the “shelter-in-place” orders issued in other states.

“We are telling you — unless you have an essential reason to leave your house, you should stay in your home,” he said.

Still, the governor says he is encouraging people stay in their own neighborhoods.

Hogan also announced a field hospital would open at the Baltimore Convention Center and the adjacent city-owned Hilton Hotel. It will be run in a joint partnership between the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine. The sites are being set up by the Maryland National Guard. FEMA is expected to provide at least 250 beds.

“My administration is marshaling every tool in the arsenal of public health to combat and slow the spread of this pandemic,” Hogan said.

The governor announced a plan a week ago to increase hospital capacity by an additional 6,000 beds. The first phase, he said, has yielded 900 additional beds that are available now. Another 1,400 beds should be ready by early April. The plan for more beds includes re-opening the Laurel Hospital, which can accommodate 135 patients, Hogan said.

The governor said health care providers are to cease elective procedures and prioritize testing for patients who are hospitalized.

Hogan also outlined plans for more drive-through testing sites. His administration has five converted vehicle emission inspection centers “ready to immediately open” as soon as the state can secure testing kits, protective equipment and lab capability. Also, he said, the Prince George’s County Health Department is working with the state to set up a drive-through screening station at FedExField in Landover.

Hogan said he issued orders Monday to authorize a process to “fast track” more testing capability in Maryland without waiting for federal action or approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Although the governor said “this will dramatically shorten” the timeline, he did not describe what the actions will involve.

The governor acknowledged the personal sacrifices being made by those who work in health care.

“I just want to take a moment to say thank you to the countless health care professionals, the doctors, and the nurses, the first responders, who are on the front lines every day, working around the clock to help keep us safe,” Hogan said.

The governor has also signed an executive order to prevent price gouging on essential household items.

Hogan said this action builds on other measures. On Thursday, for instance, he signed emergency legislation to provide relief to workers to collect unemployment benefits if their business has been closed due to the virus or if they or a family member has been quarantined.

The governor paused to thank the state’s small businesses for their sacrifices.

“These actions, while incredibly difficult financially, will save the lives of thousands of your fellow Marylanders and we will have your backs in the weeks ahead,” the governor said. “We will do everything we can to get you back on your feet and help all of your employees recover.”

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