Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday announced an executive order requiring the wearing of face coverings when inside any retail establishments or when riding any form of public transportation in Maryland.
The order also requires all retail locations to require staff to wear face coverings and requires those businesses to put appropriate social distancing measures in place. To give retailers time to make these adjustments, the order will go into effect at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 18.
The CDC has issued detailed guidance and instructions regarding homemade cloth face coverings which may be found online. Dr. Jerome Adams, the U.S. Surgeon General, also offered this video:
https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4
“The CDC has recommended, and Gov. Larry Hogan is now requiring, that we wear cloth masks in public when there is a high probability you will encounter others,” said Dr. Fredia Wadley, Talbot County’s health officer. “Wearing a mask says you … are serious about protecting your own health and that of others you contact.”
Studies show that some people with COVID-19 will never have symptoms, but they can still spread the virus. Those who ultimately develop symptoms can also transmit the virus before they actually get sick. This means that someone who coughs, sneezes, and even speaks in close proximity to another person can spread the virus without even knowing it.
Social distancing remains the most important means of slowing the spread of the disease, but the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings where social distancing measures may be difficult to maintain. Most local grocery stores and pharmacies have implemented plans to limit interaction between customers, but 100% compliance is difficult to maintain.
“You don’t need a surgical mask or N-95 respirator to go to the grocery store,” says Dr. Wadley. “We need those critical supplies for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. A simple cloth mask will do. Masks help catch moisture and viruses as we breathe out.”
Talbot County Health Department officials have been visiting local businesses to check social distancing plans and other cautionary practices.
Dr. Wadley offers these tips for businesses:
1. Establish one store entrance and station monitors at the entrance to limit the number of customers allowed in building.
2. Tape floors to indicate appropriate social distancing guides, particularly at checkout points where customers gather. Some local stores are allowing one-way traffic only on select aisles.
3. Place plastic shields between cashiers and customers.
4. Require employees to wear cloth masks during working hours. (Required by 7 a.m. Saturday under Gov. Hogan’s executive order)
5. Clean hard surfaces and shopping baskets several times a day.
6. Ask employees to encourage customers to practice social distancing while shopping.
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