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Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Maryland)
Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.
This article contains coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:
- Changes to election dates and procedures in 2020
- Initial stay-at-home orders
- Executive orders
- Coronavirus-related legislation in 2020
- Changes to the state's 2020 legislative session
- Court closures
- The release of inmates
- Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies
Additionally, the article includes:
- Arguments related to the state's response to the coronavirus
- Individual industries and activities from May 15 through July 31
- The state's initial plan to reopen from March and April 2020 closures
- Coronavirus resources relevant to the state.
To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.
Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19
General election changes
Maryland modified its absentee/mail-in and candidate filing procedures, early voting, and polling places for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:
- Absentee/mail-in voting: Absentee/mail-in ballot request forms sent to all qualified voters in the general election. The return deadline for absentee/mail-in ballot requests was October 20, 2020.
- Candidate filing procedures: The petition signature requirement for obtaining party status for the Green and Libertarian parties was reduced from 10,000 to 5,000 signatures. The nomination petition signature requirement for unaffiliated candidates was reduced by 50 percent.
- Early voting: An early voting period ran from October 26, 2020 through November 2, 2020.
- Polling places: All early voting centers and Election Day polling locations were open on November 3, 2020. The Maryland State Board of Elections operated a limited number of centralized voting centers in lieu of precinct polling places for in-person voting in the general election.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Primary election changes
Maryland modified its primary election process as follows:
- Election postponements: The primary election was postponed from April 28, 2020, to June 2.
- Voting procedures: The primary election was conducted largely by mail.
For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.
Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.
Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4
On March 30, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued Executive Order 20-03-30-01, which directed individuals in Maryland to stay home except for essential activities and closed nonessential businesses in the state.[13] On May 13, Hogan announced that the stay-at-home order would expire at 5:00 p.m. on May 15.[14]
Executive Order 20-03-30-01 relies on federal guidance released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to determine the businesses that are deemed essential. The order is embedded below.
Executive orders, March 30 through June 29
- State of Emergency declared
- Ordering Extending Certain Licenses, Permits, Registrations, and Other Governmental Authorizations, and Authorizing Suspension of Legal Time Requirements
- Order Calling the Maryland National Guard into State Active Duty
- Order for Implementation of Elevated Level II of Pandemic Flu and Other Infectious Diseases Attendance and Leave Policy for Executive Branch Employees
- Order Prohibiting the Movement of Persons to and from Certain Vessels Berthing at Terminals and Port Facilities in the Ports and Harbors of the State
- Order Prohibiting Large Gatherings and Events and Closing Senior Centers
- Emergency Order Closing Casinos, Racetracks and Simulcast Betting Facilities
- Emergency Order Expanding Child Care Access
- Order Amending Prohibition of Large Gatherings
- Order Relating to Various Health Care Matters
- Prohibiting Termination of Residential Services and Late Fees
- Temporarily Prohibiting Evictions
- Emergency Medical Services
- Beverage Delivery
- Restricting Gatherings Amended
- Lab Authorization
- Price Gouging
- Essential Businesses
- Authorizing Reimbursement for Telehealth
- Prohibiting Price Gouging
- Child Care for Essential Personnel
- Remote Notarizations
- Maryland Children’s Health Program Contributions
- Municipal Elections
- Gatherings, Stay at Home Order
- Vehicle Weights Limits
- Tax Deadlines and Oaths of Office
- Health Care Designation for Disabilities Services Providers
- Authorizing Telehealth
- Evictions and Mortgages
- Authorizing Actions for Nursing Homes
- Delegating Authority to Health Officials
- Remote Witnessing and Electronic Signing
- Shareholder Meetings
- Pharmacy Matters
- Masks and Physical Distancing
- Alternative Correctional Detention and Supervision
- Establishing Alternate Care Sites
Court closures, March 17 through November 4
- August 28, 2020: Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera announced that the Maryland Judiciary would move into Phase IV of the reopening plan on August 31. Phase IV allows most in-person proceedings to resume, with the exception of jury trials, which remain prohibited.[15]
- June 3, 2020: Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera released a phased reopening plan for the Maryland Judiciary.[16]
- May 7, 2020: Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera announced that June 8 was the projected date that courts in the state could begin to reopen, though the date was not set in stone. The Chief Justice said that reopening would come in phases and courthouses would require restructuring to incorporate social distancing measures.[17]
- April 14, 2020: Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera ordered all courts closed to the public through June 5.[18]
- March 25, 2020: The Maryland Court of Appeals extended their previous March 13 order restricting in-person proceedings and jury trials through May 1.[19]
- March 13, 2020: Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera ordered that all courts close to the public for three weeks, effective March 16.[20]
Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1
The Maryland State Legislature adjourned its session early, effective March 18, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.[21]
Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19
See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in Maryland. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24
- June 9, 2020: Baltimore County announced it was launching a new eviction prevention program using $1 million in federal and state emergency assistance funds. The program would help pay the past-due rent for tenants facing eviction after the expiration of Maryland’s state of emergency and the end of the temporary statewide ban on evictions and foreclosures.[22]
- March 16, 2020: Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an emergency order that stopped courts in Maryland from evicting tenants who provided documentation showing their inability to pay due to circumstances due to coronavirus.[23]
Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1
- April 18, 2020: Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an executive order authorizing the release of certain inmate populations due to coronavirus. The order authorizes the Commissioner of Correction to release inmates who are scheduled to be released within 120 days or who are eligible for expedited home detention. The order also authorized the Maryland Parole Commission to consider accelerated parole for eligible inmates who are at least 60 years old, have a record of good institutional adjustment, an approved home plan, and who have been convicted of nonviolent offenses.[24][25]
- April 14, 2020: Maryland Supreme Court Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera ordered trials courts in the state to identify and release inmates who are vulnerable to coronavirus and pose no risk to the public.[26]
Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Maryland in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.
- Debate over reopening plans
- Debate over the stay-at-home order
- Debate over school closures
- Debate over religious service restrictions
- Debate over election policy
Status of industries, May 15 through July 31
Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.
- "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
- Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
- A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.
Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures
Maryland released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on April 24, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on April 27. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.
Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) released "Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery," outlining three phases for reopening businesses and activities based on risk level. The plan is triggered by benchmarks as opposed to set dates:
"This document is a roadmap, not a calendar. The Administration does not intend to set dates or telegraph benchmarks for moving through this journey. Unfortunately, the virus dictates the speed with which the State can move."
The state's current primary benchmark is the hospitalization rate, including intensive care unit bed usage. The plan says the state needs a 14-day downward trajectory or plateauing of benchmarks before the first phase, and then subsequent phases, can be implemented. The plan also says returning to normal conditions will require either a vaccine or treatment. The plan cites guidelines, roadmaps, and principles from the National Governors Association, White House, American Enterprise Institute, and Johns Hopkins University.
The plan says each phase will include subphases to be announced at a later date.
Context
- Hogan declared a state of emergency March 5, issued an executive order closing nonessential businesses March 23, and issued a stay-at-home order March 30.
- As of Monday, Maryland had 18,581 COVID-19 cases and 827 confirmed deaths.
- Maryland is under divided government. Gov. Hogan is a Republican, and both chambers of the state legislature have Democratic majorities.
Plan details
The Low-risk phase will end the stay-at-home order, which went into effect March 30. This phase includes Stop signs—indications that reopening efforts have triggered new outbreaks or strained medical resources and should be slowed.
According to the plan, the low-risk phase may include the following reopenings and allowances:
- Small shops and certain small businesses
- Curbside pickup and drop-off for businesses
- Elective medical and dental procedures at ambulatory, outpatient, and medical offices
- Limited attendance outdoor religious gatherings
- Recreational boating, fishing, golf, tennis, hiking, and hunting
- Car washes
- Limited outdoor gym and fitness classes
- Outdoor work with appropriate distancing measures
- Some personal services
Stop signs include:
- an unexpected increase in hospitalizations
- a sustained increase in intensive care cases
- indications people are not following physical distancing guidelines
- "[s]ignificant outbreaks of community transmission (not clusters or outbreaks in particular nursing homes or vulnerable communities) where contact tracing cannot establish the route of the spread."
In the Medium-risk phase, local governments and county officials may be allowed, "within parameters set by the Administration, to determine if it is appropriate to resume specified commerce and other activities within their jurisdictions."
According to the plan, allowances and reopenings in this phase may include:
- Raising the cap on social gatherings
- Indoor gyms and fitness classes
- Childcare centers
- Transit schedules begin returning to normal
- Indoor religious gatherings
- Restaurants and bars with restrictions
- Elective and outpatient procedures at hospitals
The High-risk phase will incorporate industry-specific "Safe Reopen Plans," to be developed by advisory groups the Maryland Department of Commerce formed and vetted by the Maryland Strong Recovery Team.
According to the plan, this phase may include allowing/reopening:
- Larger social gatherings
- High-capacity bars and restaurants
- Lessened restrictions on visits to nursing homes and hospitals
- Entertainment venues
- Larger religious gatherings
The plan states that physical distancing and masking requirements will likely remain in effect for the duration of the state of emergency, first declared March 5. It also says those teleworking will continue to do so for the duration of the state of emergency.
Reactions
Support
Maryland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Christine Ross said, "The plan he unveiled today lays out many important steps for maintaining public health and safety, and describes what a gradual re-opening of the economy will look like. We, like the governor, want to see Marylanders get back to work safely."
Opposition
State Del. William Wivell (R) said, "In the rural areas we just haven't seen the devastation that was predicted. … We have two deaths in Washington County and very minimal number of confirmed cases. I think we were hopeful he would start opening up areas of the state where there wasn't as much of the infection."
Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.
State resources
Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.
Federal resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Education
- World Health Organization
See also
- Documenting America's Path to Recovery
- Maryland’s path to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic
- School responses in Maryland to the coronavirus pandemic
- School responses to the coronavirus pandemic by state
- COVID-19 vaccine distribution by state
- Travel restrictions by state
- Federal government responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Footnotes
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Board of Elections Approves Early Voting Days for General Election," August 12, 2020
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Proclamation," August 10, 2020
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "2020 General Election," accessed August 24, 2020
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "Board sets October 20 Deadline for Voters to Submit Application for General Election Mail-in Ballots," August 5, 2020
- ↑ United States District Court for the District of Maryland, "Ivey v. Lamone: Consent Judgment," July 20, 2020
- ↑ Office of the Governor of Maryland, "Governor Hogan Directs State Board of Elections to Conduct November General Election With Enhanced Voting Options," July 8, 2020
- ↑ United States District Court for the District of Maryland, "Maryland Green Party v. Hogan: Consent Judgment," June 19, 2020
- ↑ Ballot Access News, "Maryland State Board of Elections Cuts Number of Signatures for Party Status from 10,000 to 5,000, for 2020 Only," June 19, 2020
- ↑ The Baltimore Sun, "Limited in-person voting to be offered April 28 for Maryland’s 7th Congressional District special election," April 13, 2020
- ↑ Office of the Governor of Maryland, "Proclamation: Renewal of Declaration of State of Emergency and Existence of Catastrophic Health Emergency – COVID-19," April 10, 2020
- ↑ The Baltimore Sun, "Maryland primary moves to June amid coronavirus pandemic; voters to pick Cummings’ replacement by mail in April," March 17, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "Maryland postpones primary, shifts special election to mail voting over coronavirus," March 17, 2020
- ↑ Governor of Maryland, "Executive Order 20-03-30-01," accessed March 30, 2020
- ↑ Office of the Governor of Maryland, "Stage One: Governor Hogan Announces Gradual Reopenings With Flexible, Community-Based Approach," May 13, 2020
- ↑ CBS Baltimore, "Reopening Maryland: Circuit And District Courts Resuming For All Non-Jury Trials Beginning August 31," August 31, 2020
- ↑ Maryland Courts, "Coronavirus Phased Reopening Plan," accessed June 30, 2020
- ↑ WTOP News, "Maryland courts set tentative reopening as lawyers prep for surge in backlogged cases," May 7, 2020
- ↑ Baltimore Sun, "Maryland Chief Judge Barbera encourages release of at-risk prisoners amid coronavirus pandemic," April 14, 2020
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts," March 26, 2020
- ↑ Salisbury Daily Times, "Have a court date, jury duty? Not so fast. Maryland closes courts in coronavirus concern," March 15, 2020
- ↑ Patch, "MD Legislature To Adjourn Early, Create Coronavirus Committees," March 15, 2020
- ↑ The Baltimore Sun, "Baltimore County offering $1 million for tenants facing eviction amid coronavirus economic woes," June 9, 2020
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedEvictMA - ↑ WBAL TV 11, "Governor signs order to release certain inmates amid coronavirus pandemic," April 19, 2020
- ↑ The State of Maryland Executive Department, "Order of the Governor of the State of Maryland No. 20-04-18-01," April 18, 2020
- ↑ Baltimore Sun, "Maryland Chief Judge Barbera encourages release of at-risk prisoners amid coronavirus pandemic," April 14, 2020
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