Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) have ordered residents to “stay at home” unless traveling for an “essential” purpose like groceries or medicines or their job has been deemed “essential.”
WTOP reported Monday that Hogan announced the new order at a news conference. CBS 6 reported that Northam’s announcement followed hours later.
“This is a public health crisis. We are no longer asking or suggesting that Marylanders stay at home. We are directing them to do so,” Hogan said. The outlet added that the stay-at-home order goes into effect 8 p.m. Monday and that a wireless emergency alert will be sent to residents via their cellphones at some point on Monday evening.
“No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking medical attention or for other necessary purposes,” Hogan added.
WTOP reported that the number of coronavirus cases in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area has spiked to more than 2,800 as of Monday morning, an increase of more than 1,000 over the weekend.
“People are not locked in their homes,” Hogan said Monday. “We’re just telling people that they need to stay in their homes except for essential and necessary things.”
“You should be able to get outside for your own physical and mental well-being and go for a walk and take your dog for a walk. You should not be going out with a crowd of 100 people congregating in a park somewhere … If your plumbing is leaking all over your house and you have to go out and do something about fixing that — that’s probably a necessary function. But you shouldn’t be out shopping for new carpets or cabinets or, you know, buying furniture or clothing. You should be buying the necessary things you need to survive,” he added.
The text of the order amends and restates an order dated March 23, which restricted large gatherings and closed many businesses. While people are told to stay in their homes, this does not extend to those working “essential” jobs or owners of such businesses and establishments, although they are all order to travel just to and from work or to deliver goods and services. A previous order limiting gatherings to fewer than 50 people has been amended to prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people. Fitness centers must close except to provide child care services if they already did so. Theaters are closed, and shopping malls are closed unless the stores have direct access from outside. Other recreational establishments such as bingo halls, bowling alleys, golf courses and amusement parks must close.
In addition, tattoo parlors, tanning salons, barber shops, and beauty salons must remain closed.
The order specifically exempts those traveling to, from, or in connection with their duties at any federal, state, or local government establishment, or those working with non-profits to provide essential services to low-income and homeless individuals.
Journalists traveling for work are also exempt from the stay-at-home order. Virginia’s order was similar.
On Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted D.C. a major disaster declaration following the increase in coronavirus cases.
This article has been updated to include information about Virginia’s stay-at-home order.