Five takeaways from Gov. Larry Hogan's plan to reopen Maryland

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Hogan called the plan a “well-thought-out, gradual, safe and effective path forward,” supported by four pillars he has spoken about often in recent weeks: increases in testing, personal protective equipment, contact tracing and hospital surge capacity.

That measure and others have positioned Maryland to flatten its curve, Hogan said, noting the state’s current standing is far better than that projected without social distancing measures. But Hogan added that the plan to reopen can’t begin right away because Maryland is still seeing increases in the major tracking metrics. In the past week, the state has reported a 44% increase in cases, a 25% increase in ICU patients and a 70% increase in deaths.

Hogan said a one-day spike would not prompt an automatic reset of the count, but that if the overall trend of new cases is down for a two-week span, he would be willing to begin the reopening process.

The plan, titled “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery,” has three phases. The first features lifting the stay-at-home order while also allowing certain small businesses to open and perform curbside pickup; outdoor gym classes, religious gatherings of limited attendance, and some recreational activities; certain elective medical procedures; and car washes, though all elements are subject to change.

The first phase also includes measures that would prompt the stoppage of the plan. Those are an unexpected increase in hospitalizations, a lack of following of social distancing guidelines and significant outbreaks of community transmission of the virus, with a five-day period of increased cases in particular leading to caution.

The second phase of the plan involves raising the minimum number of people allowed to gather; opening of childcare centers, indoor gyms and religious activities; and the return of routine transit schedules. Restaurants and bars will also be able to reopen with restrictions.

The final phase allows for larger social gatherings, including at dining establishments, entertainment venues and religious services. There will also be lessened restrictions on visits to nursing homes and hospitals.

There’s no timeline for how long the state will stay in each phase, with Hogan noting that the second is likely to last longer than the first.