Mayor Young Announces Temporary Suspension of Indoor Dining at Bars and Restaurants

Wednesday Jul 22nd, 2020

BALTIMORE, MD.  — Today, after a careful review of health data related to COVID-19, and in consultation with Baltimore's Health Commissioner, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young has signed an Executive Order suspending indoor dining at bars and restaurants in Baltimore City.

Under the Mayor's order, restaurants and bars are permitted to continue with outdoor dining that's socially distanced, along with offering carryout and delivery services. The Mayor's order takes effect Friday, July 24, at 5:00 p.m.

Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa also issued a Health Order mandating the usage of cloth face coverings in Baltimore City. Under the Health Commissioner's Health Order, all City residents over age 2, need to wear face coverings whenever they are in public and maintaining a social distance of at least six feet is not possible. City residents are not required to wear face coverings while seated outdoors at a food service establishment.

The Health Commissioner's Health Order mandating face coverings goes into effect Friday at 5:00 p.m.

Mayor Young issued the following statement:

"I have always stressed that my administration would continuously monitor the data related to COVID-19, and that I would not hesitate to tighten restrictions if the data indicated we should," Mayor Young said. "Today, I am taking steps to help safeguard and protect our residents, business owners, and their employees."

Health Commissioner Dr. Dzirasa issued the following statement:

"These decisions were not easy, but are rooted in current data and trends we're seeing in COVID-19 cases in Baltimore City," Dr. Dzirasa said. "When considered together, this information warrants the implementation of restrictions to help halt the further spread of COVID-19."

The restriction on indoor dining and mandating of wearing cloth face coverings will remain in place for at least two weeks and will be evaluated by health officials daily. The Health Department will monitor the following COVID-19 markers:

  • Case counts
  • Case deaths
  • ICU and acute care hospital bed utilization
  • Case positivity rates
  • Number of tests performed

For more information, please visit coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov

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