ANNAPOLIS, MD (WEAA) — Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says he will lift the COVID-19 state of emergency on July 1.
During a press conference Tuesday, the governor stated, masks or face coverings will no longer be required in any setting, including schools, camps and child care facilities but businesses are still able to set their own policies.
4a) Masks will no longer be required in any setting, including schools, camps, and child care facilities.
— Kata D. Hall (@katadhall) June 15, 2021
Businesses and other workplaces are still able to set their own policies, but there will not be a legal mandate from the state requiring masks at any location.
“While the end of the state of emergency is an important final step in our recovery from COVID-19, it does not mean that this virus and its variants no longer pose any threat," the governor said.
As of Tuesday morning, Maryland health officials have administered more than 6.5 million coronavirus vaccines.
More than 72% of Marylanders 18 and older have received at least one dose.
The state’s 7-day positivity rate is 0.82%, its lowest level since the pandemic began.
Virus-related hospitalizations are also at its lowest level since March 2020 with 194 patients currently hospitalized.
To read the full order ending the state of emergency, click here.
Today, @MDHealthDept reports 461,392 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Maryland.
— Maryland Department of Health (@MDHealthDept) June 15, 2021
The statewide positivity rate is now 0.82%.
Maryland has 9,472 deaths, 3,544,997 negative tests and 10,804 patients have been released from isolation.https://t.co/9LEHaSDimJ pic.twitter.com/mfWxLRGeuJ
A 45-day grace period will also begin on July 1.
During the grace period, residents will have 45 days to renew expired driver’s licenses and will be granted an extension of the moratorium on evictions related to COVID-19.
Health officials will also have that 45-day period to transition from emergency operations.
For more information regarding the grace period, click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viAvuKhDvsU
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