BREAKING: Md. nursing homes to allow indoor visitation, childcare centers can return to normal capacity

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference on Thursday to provide an update on COVID-19 in Maryland.

Effective immediately, indoor visitation may resume in all nursing homes that are not experiencing a current outbreak or have not experienced any new cases in the last 14 days. If the local jurisdiction’s positivity rate rises above 10%, visitation will not be permitted. We’re told this new policy will also make it more flexible for compassionate care visits to support residents who need emotional and spiritual support.

Hogan also announced an additional $6 million specifically for testing of nursing home staff.

State Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon announced that child care providers are now allowed to return to the fully eacher to child ratios and capacities for which they are licensed. Child care centers can now serve up to 20 three and four-year-olds in a room with a teacher to student ratio of 10 to 1, and up to 30 school-age students with a 1 to 15 teacher-student ratio. Child care providers must continue to adhere to federal and state guidance on health and safety protocols.

In addition, reopened programs will receive a one-time grant of $800 for family child care providers and $1600 for center-based child care providers. These grants will be available through October 31. The Maryland State Department of Education is also providing $1000 in start-up grants to eligible new child care providers to try and bolster new small businesses.

The governor is strongly encouraging Marylanders to get their flu shots this year by visiting their doctor, local pharmacy, or calling their local health department.

The statewide positivity rate currently sits at 2.88%, down nearly 90% since its peak on April 17th, Hogan says. All 24 jurisdictions have positivity rates below 5%, and none are currently in the “red zone” as designated by the federal government.