Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a stay-at-home order on Monday.
“We have reached a critical turning point in the fight to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Republican said during a news conference. “We are no longer asking or suggesting that Marylanders stay at home. We are directing them to do so.”
“No Maryland resident should be leaving their home unless it is for an essential job or an essential reason,” Hogan said, adding that buying food and medical reasons are exempt.
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Violating the order is a misdemeanor subject to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine, Hogan said.
The order goes into effect Monday at 8 p.m.
As of March 30, more than half of states will have stay-at-home orders in effect: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
