OCEAN CITY — Just days after an Anne Arundel County judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the county executive’s ban on limited indoor and outdoor dining in that jurisdiction, the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) filed for injunctions to halt similar executive orders in other jurisdictions around the state.
Locally, Worcester County and other jurisdictions are following Gov. Larry Hogan’s directives regarding restaurants and bars, including a 50% capacity, socially-distanced tables and a 10 p.m. closing time for example. However, a handful of jurisdiction on the other side of the Chesapeake have implemented far more stringent orders, including no indoor or outdoor dining, leaving restaurants and bars in those jurisdictions hoping to hang on during the pandemic with strictly a carryout or delivery business model.
Last Wednesday, an Anne Arundel County judge issued a temporary restraining order attempting to block County Executive Steuart Pittman’s executive order in that county banning indoor and outdoor dining in the face of growing COVID metrics. As a result, restaurants and bars in Anne Arundel got a stay of execution of sorts, at least until a hearing is held on the executive order, set for December 28.
On Friday, RAM, along with 100 local restaurants, announced it has filed for injunctions to halt similar executive orders in Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. The request for injunctions were filed on the basis the county executives and the mayor of Baltimore do not have evidence that closing restaurants will have a positive impact on the spread of COVID-19, according to RAM President and CEO Marshall Weston.
Do what they’re doing in New York. Ban Hogan and all his staff and any Maryland overlord from dining at any restaurant until restrictions are lifted. You will see a quick end to all of this crap if you do this.