Maryland Orders Bars, Restaurants Closed; Gov. Hogan Expects Number of Coronavirus Cases to 'Dramatically and Rapidly Rise’

Gov. Larry Hogan said Monday that the coronavirus outbreak is going to be “much worse” than most people expected, and took the unprecedented step of shutting down all Maryland bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms.

The governor also said at an Annapolis news conference that the state is seeking to add thousands more hospital beds so the current facilities don’t become overloaded.

The mass closures will be effective at 5 p.m. Monday. Grocery stores, banks, pharmacies and other essential services will remain open.

In his tone, the governor seemed to be sounding an alarm and hoping Marylanders are listening. He said the new restrictions will be disruptive and “may seem scary,” but that “we have never faced anything like this before.”

“We should continue to expect the number of cases to dramatically and rapidly rise,” he said. “This is going to be much harder, take much longer and be much worse than almost anyone is currently understanding."