Maryland governor orders residents who travel out of state to get tested or quarantine

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is requiring residents who travel out of state to get tested for COVID-19 or quarantine.

Hogan announced an emergency order during a press conference Thursday, which limits travel for essential purposes. Those who do travel to and from the state have to obtain a negative COVID-19 test result or self-quarantine for 10 days.

Hogan said Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., are exempt from the order. He also joked that Santa Claus is exempt from the order, citing Anthony Fauci’s quip about Santa Claus having “good, innate immunity” from COVID-19.

“Our message today is simple, you are safer at home for the holidays this year,” Hogan said.

In addition, the Maryland Department of Health is issuing an advisory that lowers the gathering limit from 25 people to 10, and advises against nonessential activities and gathering with others outside one’s immediate household. 

Beginning on Monday, all in-person customer-facing operations at state facilities will be suspended for the holidays, and the state is asking businesses to institute telework policies.

The Maryland Department of Health reported 2,217 coronavirus cases Thursday, bringing the state’s cumulative total to 243,984 cases since the start of the pandemic. There have now been 5,152 COVID-19 related deaths in the state this year.