As Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam joins Maryland and the District in declaring a state of emergency, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced major closures across the state to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Mr. Hogan announced the closure of all public schools from March 16 to March 27, joining several higher-education institutions and Loudoun County Public Schools, which will be closed until March 20.
He also activated the National Guard to move to a higher state of readiness; directed the cancellation of public gatherings of 250 people or more; closed the cruise ship terminal in Baltimore with the exception of two ships; closed all senior activity centers; limited visitation at state and local government buildings; and suspended visitors at prisons.
The new phase in Maryland’s response comes after the state’s first community-spread case in Prince George’s County, bringing the state’s total cases of COVID-19 to 12.
Mr. Hogan warned against overreaction, telling Marylanders that daily life should not come to a halt and advising that businesses like gas stations, groceries stores and restaurants stay open.
In an executive order, the Republican governor also extended expiration dates of all government issued licenses until 30 days after the end of the state of emergency and called for all non-essential state workers to telework.
SEE ALSO: Maryland has 1st case of community transmission of COVID-19
In Montgomery County, County Executive Marc Elrich canceled all county events of 250 people or more and closed libraries and recreation centers. He urged private organizations like churches to consider cancelling programming and reiterated that all county schools will be closed started March 16 to March 27.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, some of which is in Maryland, followed, saying later it would close all its schools and cancel all public Masses starting Saturday. No restart date was given.
In Virginia, the Democratic governor said protecting public health is his administration’s top priority.
“That is driving all of these decisions and it will be the determining factor of all our decisions as this situation moves forward,” Mr. Northam said.
There are two cases of coronavirus in central Virginia, four in eastern, 10 in northern and one in the northwest region. These cases are presumptive positive, meaning they tested positive locally, and will be considered confirmed cases when the Centers for Disease Control doublechecks the results.
In Mr. Northam’s update, he said none of Virginia’s infections are community-spread cases. He said state workers are making accommodations for teleworking and asked private employers to do the same. He urged Virginians to avoid mass gatherings.
Mr. Northam said nursing home residents who are experiencing symptoms of the virus will be given top priority and will receive immediate testing.
He took shots at how the federal government has been handling the pandemic, saying the “mixed messaging,” is “unacceptable.”
District Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat, introduced emergency legislation to be voted on at the Tuesday meeting which would provide some level of wage replacements for those who have to miss work do to quarantine or actual sickness; authorize the mayor to establish a grant program for small businesses affected by the public health emergency; and gives the mayor the power to prohibit utility shutoffs and evictions.
The bill also allows the council to hold meetings virtually and changes the submission date for the fiscal 2021 budget to May 1 or within five days of the end of the health emergency, instead of March 19.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Mayor Bowser, who declared a state of emergency Wednesday, directed $5 million of the District’s reserve cash fund to purchase supplies and other protective equipment.
District officials announced a total of 10 positives, two of which are community-spread cases and ramped up efforts to slow the spread of the virus by cancelling the Rock ’N’ Roll Marathon this weekend and recommending the postponement of other mass gatherings with more than 1,000 people.
• Sophie Kaplan can be reached at skaplan@washingtontimes.com.
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