With year-end gatherings coming up, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is hoping to curb travel and urged residents to stay at home.
“You are safer at home for the holidays this year,” he said. "Making difficult sacrifices during these next few weeks will absolutely help to keep your family, loved ones, and your fellow Marylanders safe.”
Hogan has issued an emergency order that limits travel to essential reasons only.
Those who travel in and out of Maryland are now required to get a negative COVID-19 test result or self-quarantine for 10 days, Hogan said at a press conference on Thursday, December 17. The restriction doesn't affect people driving to and from states in the region. Read the full order online.
Hogan lowered the gathering size limit from 25 people to 10, which is already the limit in Montgomery County. He announced that all state employees who are able to telework must do so, and beginning Monday, all in-person customer-facing operations at state facilities will be suspended for two weeks. Hogan encouraged businesses to institute telework policies if possible.
There is an exception to the travel order. In a “very special emergency order,” Hogan exempted Santa Claus, his elves and reindeer from any and all travel, testing and quarantine requirements. Hogan said according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Santa is immune to COVID-19. He’s still going to wear his mask, though, Hogan said.
Hogan emphasized this exception only applies to non-human elves and the “one, true” Santa.
