DC, Maryland, and Virginia Residents Ordered to Stay at Home

• March 30th 2020

by Nena Perry-Brown

Late Monday afternoon, the DC mayor joined the governors of Maryland and Virginia in establishing an official stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Maryland's governor Larry Hogan announced a statewide stay-at-home order Monday morning, effective as of 8pm. Virginia's governor Ralph Northam issued a similar directive shortly afterward, stating that the stay-at-home order would be in place statewide until June 10th and could be extended as needed.

Mayor Muriel Bowser had previously been hesitant to establish a formal stay-at-home order; an order last week closed all non-essential businesses through April 24th, and the administration had been requesting that people stay home. DC's order will be in place as of April 1st and also ends April 24th, although it could also be extended.

“Our message remains the same: stay home,” the mayor said in a statement. “Staying at home is the best way to flatten the curve and protect yourself, your family, and our entire community from COVID-19.” 

In all cases, residents are being directed to stay home unless taking an essential trip to go to work, purchase groceries, receive healthcare, take care of family or pets, or other necessary trips to businesses identified as "essential". It does not appear that any of the three jurisdictions is restricting commuting for work between the three, and people are still allowed to go outside for exercise, albeit maintaining physical distancing recommendations of six feet.

Enforcement varies, however: while no specific enforcement measures have yet been codified in Virginia, in DC and Maryland, those found in violation of the order can be fined up to $5,000, or be jailed for up to 90 days or one year, respectively.

Correction: The article previously omitted the end-date for DC's stay-at-home order.

UrbanTurf's Coverage of COVID-19 

• From Virtual Open Houses to Focus Forums, How DC Brokerages are Maintaining Physical Distance
• Pandemic Puts DC Historic Review Applications On Hold
• One Title Company Implements Drive-Thru Closings
• How Coronavirus is Affecting Property Showings in the DC Area
• How Well is DC Doing at Social Distancing?
• Lyft To Donate Free Essential Rides
• Bank of America Allowing Borrowers to Defer Mortgage Payments
• A Look at 5 Housing Non-Profits in DC
• Van Ness Co-op Building Implements Strict COVID-19 Measures 
• HUD, FHFA Suspend All Evictions, Foreclosures Through April
• Two Grocers and Mega Retailer Change Hours for Seniors
• DC Council Passes Sweeping COVID-19 Emergency Bill

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dc-maryland-and-virginia-residents-ordered-to-stay-at-home/16658.