Montgomery Co. Entering Phase 2 Of Coronavirus Recovery On Friday

SILVER SPRING, MD — Maryland's most populous jurisdiction will enter phase two of its coronavirus shutdown recovery plan on Friday, according to officials.

The announcement came as Montgomery County on Monday reported its lowest single-day increase in cases since the pandemic hit in March. A drop in new coronavirus cases is one of nine benchmarks the county is using to determine when to move into future phases of recovery.

The county will move into phase two on Friday at 5 p.m.

What's Open During Phase Two:

• Retail
  • Curbside and limited in-store; one patron per 200 sq. ft. of sales space
• Restaurants
  • Outdoor/patio seating and limited indoor* dining with requirements; 50 percent capacity maximum indoors
    • *Not permitted until Gov. Larry Hogan lifts restrictions
• Childcare
  • Child care may reopen based on current state guidelines
• Construction
  • Open with requirements
• Farms
  • Open; "pick your own" also open with requirements
• Gyms/Fitness Centers/Other Indoor Physical Activities
  • Open with requirements; one patron per 200 sq. ft. of fitness space
    • Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restrictions
• Hospitals
  • Physicians' offices and other health care facilities, including hospitals, are available to care for your medical needs
  • Contact the local facility or office for more information
• Hotels
  • Open with requirements
• Houses of Worship
  • Virtual, drive-in, and limited indoor and outdoor services with requirements; one congregant/family unit per 200 sq. ft. of service space
• Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings
  • Limited to a maximum of 50 or one person/family unit per 200 sq. ft., whichever is lower
    • Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restrictions
• Manufacturing
  • Open with requirements;
• Salons/Barbers/Personal Services
  • All personal services allowed by appointment only; one patron per 200 sq. ft. of service delivery space
• Car Washes
  • Open for internal and external cleaning with requirements
• Office Spaces and Multi-Tenant Commercial Buildings
  • Limited use for nonessential personnel with requirements; telework strongly encouraged where applicable
• Outdoor Community Pools (Public and Private)
  • Open to lap swimming with requirements
• Outdoor Day Camps
  • Expanded opening with requirements
• Outdoor Youth Sports
  • Expanded for low-contact sports with requirements
• Parks & Playgrounds
  • Parks open for personal fitness and fitness classes with requirements; playgrounds open with requirements; only low-contact sports allowed
• Ride On Bus Service
  • Expanded schedule; Expanded routes

What's Closed During Phase Two:

• Concerts and theaters
• Senior centers
• Libraries
• Recreation facilities