text of reopening montgomery

Reopening Phases

Activity PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3
Car Washes Open for external cleaning only with requirements Open for internal and external cleaning with requirements Open for internal and external cleaning with requirements
Childcare Essential Personnel Child Care (EPCC) programs Expanded to Include Dependents of Phase I opening employees MSDE continues expanding the number of EPCC programs MSDE allows all child care programs to be open for all children with recommended health and safety precautions and social distancing measures
Concerts & Theaters Closed Closed Limited opening with requirements 
*Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restriction
Construction Open with requirements Open with requirements Open with requirements
Farms Open; "Pick your own" open with requirements Open; "Pick your own" open with requirements Open; "Pick your own" open with requirements
Gyms, Fitness Centers, & Other Indoor Physical Activities Closed Open with requirements; 1 patron per 200 sq. ft. of fitness space 
*Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restriction
Open with requirements; 1 patron per 100 sq. ft. of fitness space 
*Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restriction
Hospital Physicians’ offices and other health care facilities, including hospitals, are available to care for your medical needs. Contact the local facility or office for more information. Physicians’ offices and other health care facilities, including hospitals, are available to care for your medical needs. Contact the local facility or office for more information. Physicians’ offices and other health care facilities, including hospitals, are available to care for your medical needs. Contact the local facility or office for more information.
Hotels Open with requirements Open with requirements Open with requirements
Houses of Worship Virtual or drive-In Virtual, drive-in, and limited indoor and outdoor services with requirements; 1 congregant/family per 200 sq. ft. of service space Virtual, drive-in, and limited indoor and outdoor services with requirements; 1 congregant/family per 100 sq. ft. of service space
Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings Limited to 10 persons Limited to a maximum of 50 or 1 person/family unit per 200 sq. ft., whichever is lower
*Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restriction
Limited to a maximum consistent with state guidelines, 1 person/family unit per 100 sq. ft., whichever is lower
*Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restriction
Libraries Closed Closed No Contact Exchange of Materials
Manufacturing Open with requirements Open with requirements Open with requirements
Office Spaces & Multi-tenant Commercial Buildings Closed for nonessential personnel; Telework strongly encouraged where applicable Limited use for nonessential personnel with requirements;  Telework strongly encouraged where applicable Expanded use for nonessential personnel with requirements;  Telework strongly encouraged where applicable
Outdoor Community Pools (Public & Private) Closed Open for lap swimming with requirements Open with requirements
Outdoor Day Camps Open for 10 or fewer participants with requirements  Expanded opening with requirements  Open with requirements 
Outdoor Youth Sports Limited access for low-contact sports with requirements Expanded access for low-contact sports with requirements Permitted with requirements 
Parks & Playgrounds Parks open for personal fitness; Playgrounds closed; Only low-contact sports allowed Parks open for personal fitness & fitness classes with requirements; Playgrounds open with requirements; Only low-contact sports allowed Open with requirements
Recreation Facilities Closed Closed Limited opening with requirements 
Restaurants Limited to outdoor/patio seating Outdoor/patio seating & limited iIndoor dining with requirements; 50% capacity maximum indoors 
*Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restriction
Outdoor/patio seating & expanded indoor dining with requirements;
75% capacity maximum indoors 
*Not permitted until Governor Hogan lifts restriction
Retail Curbside only Curbside and limited in-store; 1 patron per 200 sq. ft. of sales space Curbside and expanded in-store;  1 patron per 100 sq. ft. of sales space
Ride On Service Expanded schedule; Expanded routes Expanded schedule; Expanded routes Expanded schedule; Expanded routes
Salons/Barbers/Personal Services Hair Salons and barbers by appointment and for hair only; 1 patron per 200 sq. ft. of service delivery space All personal services allowed by appointment only; 1 patron per 200 sq. ft. of service delivery space All personal services allowed by appointment only; 1 patron per 100 sq. ft. of service delivery space

All of the above is dependent upon Montgomery County-specific COVID-19 data meeting reopening criteria


Business Reopening Requirements

Montgomery County’s business community is a key partner in ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees and County residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. All businesses, as a condition of reopening, are required to abide by the following rules. These rules shall be posted in a visible location to alert the public  and ensure compliance.

  • Employees and customers will be required to maintain physical distance (greater than 6’), wherever possible. We will utilize markings and signage to guide our employees and customers.
  • Employees and customers are required to wear face coverings while in our business.
  • All employees will receive training based on CDC COVID-19 guidance appropriate to our business sector before reopening.
  • Our business will use CDC- and EPA-approved disinfectants to clean our spaces daily. We will also use disinfectants to wipe down high-contact surfaces* at least every 2 hours while staff or customers are present.

  • Our employees will wash their hands hourly.
  • Our business will review and implement new CDC, Maryland Department of Health, and Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services guidelines as they are received.

Download the Requirements

* High-contact surfaces are those surfaces that will have human contact once an hour or more.

Reopening - Phase 1

Executive Order

Reopening Questions?
Contact Us

[email protected]


Reopening - Phase 1

State-approved emergency programs open for dependents of essential employees and Phase 1 reopening employees

Physical Precautions:

  • Maintain physical distancing (greater than 6') wherever possible.
  • Use of personal protective equipment, including face coverings and gloves, by all employees.
  • High-contact surfaces (those with hourly or greater contact frequency) will be cleaned with CDC- & EPA-approved disinfectant at least every 2 hours.
  • All employees must receive training on CDC COVID-19 guidance appropriate to their workplace prior to working.

Guidance for Childcare Download Protective Measures