Anne Arundel aligns restrictions with state
As cases fall, rules relaxed for businesses, gatherings
Coronavirus restrictions in Anne Arundel County are being aligned with the most liberal permissions of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, effective immediately.
County Executive Steuart Pittman signed the order allowing businesses previously capped at 25% capacity to jump up to 50% and a host of new permissions for spectators at sporting events, religious facilities and others. Indoor social gatherings are still limited to 10 people and outdoor social gatherings to people.
The move is a result of case rates and metrics continually dropping since mid-January.
“Today’s loosening of restrictions are minor, but they
simplify compliance and enforcement by aligning us with Maryland’s minimum standards,” Pittman said in a statement released by his office. “Please continue to limit social gatherings, wear your masks and avoid highrisk contacts. The end of this pandemic is hopefully drawing near, so let’s finish the good work we are doing.”
The following rules take effect immediately:
Religious facilities are allowed to serve up to 250 people outdoors.
Contact tracing measures are no longer required for foodservice establishments but are still recommended.
For indoor organized sports, there is no longer a limit on participants or coaches in a given area. Indoor sports facilities are still limited to 50% of the facilities’ maximum capacity and masks are required at all times except by participants during play. Contact tracing measures are recommended but not required.
For fitness centers, there is no longer a square footage restriction, but they are still limited to 50% capacity and masks are required at all times. Contact tracking measures are recommended but not required.
Organized outdoor events with designated event organizers are now permitted with no more than 100 people.
For indoor theaters, including movie theaters, the capacity is now limited to 100 people or 50% of the total capacity — whichever is less.
For outdoor entertainment venues, the capacity is now limited to 250 people or 50% capacity — whichever is less.
Pool and billiards halls can increase to 50% capacity.
Live call bingo can serve up to 50% capacity.
Roller rinks, indoor ice rinks, bowling alleys, live call bingo and electronic bingo facilities that sell or serve food or beverages are still encouraged to use contact tracing measures but are no longer required.
For outdoor sports venues, capacity can increase to 250 people or 50% of capacity — whichever is less.
Cigar and hookah lounges and adult entertainment venues can operate at 50% capacity.
The regulations have long been the source of controversy in the county, with Republican members of the County Council introducing bills and resolutions since May to try to remove Pittman’s powers and default to state restrictions or require Pittman to earn council approval for any restriction that differed from Hogan’s orders.
They all failed along party lines — most recently in January — as Pittman’s administration and the Democratic members of the council have continually insisted the powers are necessary for nimble and responsible handling of the pandemic.
Now, Pittman still has his emergency powers as allowed by the state of civil emergency that the council unanimously approved in the spring, but the county is in complete alignment with state permissions.
The changes come as Anne Arundel County added 110 new coronavirus cases and five new deaths Thursday, according to data from the Maryland department of Health. The case rate is now 13.6 positives for every 100,000 people and the positivity rate is 4.69%.
At least 59 people are currently hospitalized with coronavirus in Anne Arundel County.
The newly reported cases bring the total number of infections since March to 35,410 and the total number of deaths to 518. Another 14 people are believed to have died of the virus but were never tested.
Across the state, at least 976 more residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and at least 16 more Marylanders have died. At least 952 residents are currently hospitalized with the virus, a decrease of eight people since Wednesday.
The statewide positivity rate is 3.74%, down slightly from Wednesday.
The state now reports a total of 379,466 infections and 7,623 deaths.
Vaccinations
The relaxed restrictions come as Maryland has continued to roll out coronavirus vaccines to priority groups.
Across the state, more than 898,000 people have received the first dose of the vaccine, and 678,000 have received both doses. The state is currently vaccinating residents in groups 1A, 1B and 1C, which includes health care workers, first responders, people in congregate care settings and group homes, educators and school staff, people over 65 and people with some highrisk conditions.
In Anne Arundel, 70,915 people have received the first dose and 34,181 have received both doses. The county opened a south county vaccine clinic in Shady Side Thursday.
Anne Arundel County is currently only vaccinating people in groups 1A and 1B, so the eligibility window isn’t quite as wide. Anne Arundel residents in group 1C can still get vaccinated at a state mass vaccination clinic or private pharmacy now before the county sites open up their registration to people in group 1C.
ZIP codes
Here is an alphabetical breakdown of the number of cases in each ZIP code in Anne Arundel County as of Thursday. State numbers are in parentheses. ZIP codes that overlap more than one county are in italics.
The state numbers also account for cases at congregate living facilities in those ZIP codes, which the county numbers do not include.
Annapolis (21401): 2,102 (2661) Annapolis (21403): 2,065 (2360) Annapolis (21405): 34 (46) Annapolis (21409): 831 (1026) Annapolis Junction (20701): 1 (31) Arnold (21012): 895 (1130)
Brooklyn (21225): 734 (2148)
BWI Airport (21240): 0 (N/A) Churchton (20733): 93 (121) Crofton (21114): 992 (1298) Crownsville (21032): 385 (573)
Curtis Bay (21226): 187 (405)
Davidsonville (21035): 330 (402) Deale (20751): 81 (105)
Dunkirk (20754): 21 (311)
Edgewater (21037): 883 (1166)
Fort Meade (20755): (305) Friendship (20758): 30 (34) Galesville (20765): 22 (28) Gambrills (21054): 537 (711) Gibson Island (21056): 7 (N/A)
Glen Burnie (21060): 2,091 (2605) Glen Burnie (21061): 3,279 (3839)
Hanover (21076): 985 (1424)
Harmans (21077): 18 (17) Harwood (20776): 129(148)
Jessup (20794): 221 (1758)
Laurel (20724): 1,240 (1422) Linthicum Heights (21090): 507 (632) Lothian (20711): 386 (455) Millersville (21108): 864 (1018) Naval Academy (21402): (145)
North Beach (20714): 12 (182)
Odenton (21113): 1,500 (1796)
Owings (20736): 0 (372)
Pasadena (21122): 3,274 (3989) Riva (21140): 121 (154)
Severn (21144): 1,813 (2182) Severna Park (21146): 1,188 (1647) Shady Side (20764): 151 (185) Tracys Landing (20779): 39 (50) West River (20778): 72 (83)