County Suspends Indoor Dining, Reimposes COVID-19 Restrictions

ROCKVILLE, MD — An executive order that will temporarily suspend indoor dining and cut capacity at retail establishments in Montgomery County is set to take effect at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

The County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the action in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Under the order, restaurants will have to shutter indoor dining. Outdoor dining, carryout, and delivery — however — will still be allowed each day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Capacity in large retail establishments — such as big-box stores — will be limited to one person per 200 square feet and capped at 150 people. These businesses must request a letter of approval if they want to accommodate more than 150 people after Wednesday, Dec. 23. The request must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, and include the business' plan for monitoring the number of people on-site and social distancing at the entrances, exits, and check-out lines.

Before voting on the order Tuesday, the County Council allowed residents to testify.

Some pushed back on the new restrictions, saying they may put restaurants and retail shops out of business.

Christopher Sargent, a retail manager at Wegmans Food Market, said he feared the changes will lead to long lines and panic buying inside the store. He also said customers will leave the county and instead shop for food in neighboring counties with higher occupancy limits.

"This will not help with the intended goal of reducing community spread," Sargent said.

Councilmembers emphasized that they do not take joy in reimposing COVID-19 restrictions, but said they are necessary to stem the spread of the virus.

"This is an agonizing decision for us," Councilmember Andrew Friedson said. "It is not even remotely close to the agonizing decisions that are being faced by families, businesses, employers, and employees. So I just wanted to note that we are not in an easy position."

Restaurants and retail establishments aren't the only ones affected by the new executive order. Indoor gatherings for non-professional sports and religious institutions will also be restricted.

For indoor sporting events, gatherings will be limited to 10 people.

Religious institutions remain capped at 25 percent capacity indoors. A letter of approval will be needed for outdoor services of more than 25 participants.