What the ‘stay at-home’ order means for D.C., Maryland, & Virginia residents

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued stay-at-home orders Monday as the DMV region battles to control the advance of the novel coronavirus.

Both states and the District are working to come to grips with the coronavirus pandemic, which had spread worldwide. “We’re no longer asking, we’re directing,” Hogan said.

The governors noted that many residents were complying with state guidelines regarding social gatherings. However, there were enough people not following orders that lead to additional measures needed is taken.

Governor Northam also mentioned than while most residents were complying, the State’s beaches were “literally packed” over the weekend.”

A statement from Mayor Bowser’s office regarding the order reinforces her direction to residents to stay home except to perform essential activities. The order will be in place from now until April 24. Hogan’s order, which goes into effect tonight at 8 p.m., makes violations warrants a misdemeanor.

Under the Virginia order, which went into effect immediately, makes violation warrants a misdemeanor charge under certain circumstances. Those convicted of violating the order can be subject to one year in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The orders bar all non-essential travel, and only permits travel that is “necessary.”

The District

The District order specifies that residents may only leave their residences to:

• Engage in essential activities, including obtaining medical care that cannot be provided through telehealth and obtaining food and essential household goods;
• Perform or access essential governmental functions;
• Work at primary businesses;
• Engage in crucial travel; or
• Engage in allowable recreational activities, as defined by the Mayor’ s Order.

Maryland

Listed below is the kind of free movement that permitted under the Maryland order:

• Grocery shopping 
• Seeking medical care 
• Caring for a family member or friend
• Traveling to and from schools for food or obtaining distance learning materials
• Engaging in exercise outdoors, but only if you refrain from activities involving ten or more people
• If you’re a police officer or you’re adhering to a court order
• Traveling to and from a state, federal or local government building on official business

For those who work at the “non-essential” firms in the State, which have ordered closed while the state battles the coronavirus, are permitted to remain there if:

• They’re facilitating remote working for other staff members
• Maintaining essential property
• Preventing the loss of, or damage to, property
• Performing administrative functions – like picking up the mail and payroll
• Caring for live animals

Maryland is also closing senior citizen activities centers until the end of the State of emergency.

Virginia

Just like Maryland, Virginia’s list is similar but includes that travel would be permitted for those participating in social or charitable services; and for those who are threatened at their current location or are directed to by law enforcement.

Both orders also maintain a prohibition on gatherings of 10 or more people and request any such events to be canceled.

Northam also ordered that all public beaches, along with all public institutes of higher learning, would close.

Read the full text of the orders down below:

Mayor Bowser’s Order

Gov. Hogan’s Order

Gov. Northam’s Order