MD businesses discuss transition to comply with Hogan’s face mask executive order

SALISBURY, Md. – For residents all across Maryland, wearing masks inside places like grocery stores, pharmacies, and more has become the new normal. Following Governor Larry Hogan’s executive order that went into effect Saturday requiring both customers and employees to wear masks or face coverings to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“We don’t know who’s asymptomatic and potentially a carrier. Our staff members could be or our customers could be,” said Williams Market Manager, Danielle Barlow.

And businesses here on the shore say the transition to ensure both their employees and customers complied with the mandate was relatively easy.

“75% to 80% of our customers that were shopping with us prior to Saturday’s order were wearing the masks already,” said Barlow.

“Everyone seemed to have their mask on and we were really impressed with some of the ideas that they came up with to make some,” said How Sweet It Is Owner, Brent Malone.

To help make things go a little smoother, many business owners also put up signs and posted on their social media pages reminding everyone of the new requirement.

“We made a lot of placards with the governor’s request on all the doors and on all the carts,” said Malone.

“I actually posted a picture of our staff wearing it just to let them know to not be uncomfortable or some people might seem a little embarrassed. We’re all wearing them too for safety measures,” said Barlow.

And if somebody forgot?

“Luckily we only had one customer come in without a mask and we just reminded them that it is mandatory to have a mask,” said Harris Market Retail Sales Manager, Kali Krauss.

And despite these new changes, business owners say they’re still grateful their customers continue to support them during these difficult times.

“We try to tell everybody who comes in how thankful we are for them because without them we would not be having the season that we are having,” said Krauss.

The order requires your nose and mouth to be covered with either a mask, cloth or bandana, and it’s expected to last as long as the governor’s state of emergency is in effect. Governor Hogan adds that due to early and aggressive actions, the state is now in a position to move from containment and mitigation to planning the gradual roll-out of the recovery phase.