(BALTIMORE, MD) On Friday, Mayor Brandon Scott, City Health Commissioner Dr. Dzirasa and local restaurant owners gathered in front of City Hall to urge residents to safely support local businesses as the city enters an amended Phase 1.
To watch the briefing, click here.
On Wednesday, Mayor Scott announced all Baltimore City restaurants must close indoor and outdoor dining as part of his plan to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Dr. Dzirasa says, there is widespread community transmission and dining with a face mask off is a high risk activity. She also mentioned contact tracers are challenged to keep up with the rise in COVID-19 cases.
According to data, hospitals in Baltimore City are at 88% capacity.
"These restrictions are for the health and safety of our community", says Mayor Scott.
Officials urge residents to still support local restaurants by ording takeout and gift cards.
"Ordering takeout should be a neighborly obligation," Dr. Dzirasa mentioned.
The mayor also announced a new testing site in northwest Baltimore at the Zeta Center on Reisterstown Road.
Baltimore City Police Commisioner Michael Harrison says, officers will be out patrolling and enforcing the new restrictions.
For the latest information regarding Baltimore City and COVID-19, click here.
Continue to wear your mask, wash your hands frequently and practice social distancing.
The mayor also addressed the gun violence in Baltimore City.
"We are still dealing with far too much violence in Baltimore City, since Wednesday, we have seen five people in our city lose their life... We will be targeting and identifying the people that are committing this violence and they will no longer be allowed to be comfortable on our streets...We have to understand that we all have a part to play... we all have to do better ourselves."
