Maryland ends COVID-19 state of emergency, all restrictions end July 1

(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

By Sanchali Singh

(ANNAPOLIS, Md.) On Tuesday, Gov. Larry Hogan announced the end of Maryland’s COVID-19 state of emergency after the state surpassed 6.5 million vaccinations and the record-low positivity rate of 0.82%.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Hogan said Maryland reported its first case of the coronavirus one year, three months and 10 days ago, which is also when the state started its emergency order.

Hogan had put the ordered the state of emergency in the beginning of the pandemic to help the Maryland government face challenges that arose during the pandemic.

“Thanks in large part to the hard work, the sacrifices, and the vigilance of the people of Maryland, we have finally reached the light at the end of that long tunnel,” said Hogan, according to a statement. “Each and every one of you—your actions—have made this day possible. Thank you all for being Maryland Strong.”

With the end of Maryland’s emergency order, the state will also lift emergency mandates and restrictions on July 1.

Maryland law will no longer require a statewide mask order for any settings, including schools, camps and child care facilities.

July 1 will also be the start of a 45-day grace period, during which certain regulations “will continue to be relaxed to complete the administrative transition out of the pandemic,” the governor’s office said.

Certain regulations include renewing driver’s licenses, winding down emergency health operations and the moratorium on evictions related to COVID-19.

Although the state is ending the mask mandate, local governments and private businesses can still set their own policies, according to a questions portion explaining the end of the order. Local school systems and authorities can also decide to enforce a mask mandate if they choose.

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