BALTIMORE, MD.  — Yesterday, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young signed an executive order officially moving Baltimore City into Phase I of its reopening plan, including removing Stay At Home restrictions on residents while encouraging older and more vulnerable residents to remain home as much as possible. Mayor Young issued the following statement:

“While I am encouraged by the data showing positive trends for our key COVID-19 indicators, I want to remind people that we still need to be cautious,” Mayor Young said. “This order allows for certain lower-risk activities to resume, but it should not be viewed as a complete return of all businesses and services.”

The shift into Phase I of reopening loosens certain restrictions on private businesses, while also increasing the availability of City-provided services available to residents. Unless referenced in the order, nonessential businesses and services – including public and private pools – must remain closed.

Under Phase I, the following activities will be allowed to come back online: 

• Barbershops and hair salons – by appointment only, with up to 5 people allowed inside per 1,000 square feet, for hair services only. All other services and salons not specifically named in the order are to remained closed. After providing services to each customer, appropriate cleaning will need to take place per CDC and Maryland Department of Health guidelines.
• Faith-based gatherings – faith-based organizations of up to 50 people can worship in tented outdoor services. Fees for tent permits will be waived for exempt religious institutions during COVID restrictions, and Fire and Building inspections will be available within 48 hours of application. As a condition of the permit, congregants will be required to practice social distancing and wear face coverings. Virtual worship is still strongly encouraged at this time.
• The Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar produced by Baltimore’s Office of Promotion & the Arts will open for its 43rd season on Sunday, June 14 at 7am with restrictions. It will open as a food resource only, and a limited number of people will be allowed to shop at any one time.
• Childcare – childcare can open with limits of up to 10 people per room.
• Restaurants – as previously announced, restaurants can serve customers through outdoor seating. Restaurant licensees who would like to add outdoor seating can apply through the City’s e-permit website.
• Summer camps – camps will be allowed to reopen, with limited capacity of up to 10 people per room for indoor activities and up to 50 people for outdoor activities. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks will offer a new BMORE Summer Fun experience – residents can register online.
• Enoch Pratt Free Library – beginning on June 15, Pratt library branches will begin offering Sidewalk Service, a contact-free way for customers to pick up books, DVDs, CDs, and other library materials. Branches offering this service can be found here.
• Retail outlets – non-essential retailers can provide curbside and delivery service.
• Construction sites – construction sites can reopen with appropriate safeguards in place.

Hotels and accommodations – hotels and accommodations can reopen with appropriate safeguards in place.