Ocean City Likely To Require Masks On Boardwalk; Governor Outlines State’s Recovery Plans On ‘Pause’

OCEAN CITY — There were mixed messages from Gov. Larry Hogan this week on the state’s COVID-19 recovery plans, which are on a “pause” as some key metrics continue to increase, but the biggest takeaway is an expansion of mandatory masking requirements.

Hogan on Wednesday held yet another press conference on the ongoing pandemic and the messages were all at once filled with cautious optimism and grave concern. Perhaps the biggest takeaway on Wednesday was an expansion of mask and face-covering requirements that have been in place since April.

Back in April, Hogan implemented an executive order requiring the wearing of masks in all indoor spaces such as retail stores, grocery stores and the like. On Wednesday, he amended that executive order to include the inside of all buildings with public access and outdoors in all public places where it is not possible to achieve social distancing.

Locally, the most obvious place affected by the change is the Boardwalk, where most have been wearing masks inside stores and amusements, for example, but the majority are not wearing masks while walking outdoors along the famed promenade. Hogan’s amended executive order on the surface appears to include the Boardwalk because social distancing is not often possible in the height of the summer season.

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