MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND URGE MARYLANDERS TO WEAR MASKS

Compliance with COVID-19 protocols helps keep restaurants open during the holidays

BALTIMORE, MD (November 20, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Commerce and the Restaurant Association of Maryland are joining together to urge all Marylanders to continue to follow COVID-19 protocols by continuing to wear a mask, staying six feet apart, and washing hands to keep Maryland open for holiday dining.

“Restauranteurs across Maryland are continuing their already strict sanitation practices, adding heating to their outdoor seating areas, restructuring their indoor seating to increase physical distance, and ensuring that staff wear masks and are tested often,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “As the holiday season is upon us, we are asking everyone to please help keep your favorite businesses open by wearing masks and abiding by social distancing requirements to support our neighborhood restaurants that are the fabric of our communities.”

“The restaurant industry appreciates the actions taken by Governor Hogan to protect everyone from COVID and encourages everyone to follow health directives to wear a mask, keep physically distanced, and wash your hands,” said Marshall Weston, president and CEO, Restaurant Association of Maryland.  “Restaurants in Maryland are looking forward to safely serving customers this holiday season.”

Last week, restaurants returned to 50 percent capacity and, as of today, must close nightly at 10:00 p.m. To help Maryland restaurants with infrastructure investments and expenses,, Governor Hogan announced earlier this month that the state will distribute a total of $50 million across each county and Baltimore City based on the number of restaurant establishments located in each of the 24 jurisdictions.

For more information on COVID-19 resources, FAQ’s and the Maryland Roadmap to Recovery, please visit https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/.

About Maryland Department of Commerce

The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit www.commerce.maryland.gov.

About The Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM)

RAM members are foodservice and hospitality businesses including restaurants, bars & taverns, food trucks, grocery stores, caterers, hotels and other businesses that serve food. RAM also welcomes Allied Members, which are companies that work alongside the foodservice industry by providing goods and services. RAM members are dedicated to their employees by offering careers with advancement opportunities, their customers by providing exceptional dining options and service, and their community by supporting local charities, sports teams and events.