Elrich Surprised By Hogan's Decision To Move Into Phase 3

ROCKVILLE, MD — Maryland's move to phase three of reopening — announced Tuesday by Gov. Larry Hogan — has taken Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich by surprise. The Democrat said he will need time "to determine the best way forward," and won't ease coronavirus restrictions in the county just yet.

"(Tuesday's) announcement that the state is moving to Phase 3 on Friday has again taken us by surprise," Elrich said. "Although I want to see our community open as quickly as possible, we also must proceed with care. We are averaging about 70 cases per day, and (Monday) we had 97 cases — those numbers are concerning because they're higher than they were a few weeks ago.

"Because we did not receive advance notice of the governor's decision, we need time to review the governor's orders to determine the best way forward," Elrich said.

Montgomery County — which has the state's second-highest number of coronavirus cases after Prince George's County — has moved through its reopening phases at a slower pace than most of Maryland. To date, the county is in phase two, which it has been in since mid-June.

Under phase two in the county, restaurants can offer dine-in service at 50 percent capacity, personal service establishments (i.e., barbershops, tattoo parlors) can open by appointment only, and outdoor gatherings are capped at 50.

Under Hogan's plan for phase three, all businesses can reopen, although some restrictions remain for the size of gatherings at churches and movie theaters. That will go into effect on Friday at 5 p.m.

"I want to remind the people of Maryland that moving into Stage 3 does not mean that this crisis is behind us," Hogan said. "We must remain vigilant so we can keep Maryland open for business."

But Elrich says he believes that Hogan's decision to enter phase three isn't guided by science as much as business.

"We are going into an area that is not being guided, in my perspective and from other people's perspective, by medical approach — but more guided by the desire to reopen businesses," Elrich said. "I get the desire to reopen businesses. I would love to have the tax revenue. But I don't want the tax revenue if the price to be paid is more sick people and more fatalities in our community. It is not worth it if you can't do it safely."

Elrich added that he will spend the next couple of days reviewing Hogan's guidance to see what modifications can be made for the county in phase two.