Governor Hogan Press Conference – May 14, 2021
Given change of policy by CDC, and in consultation with health department and medical experts:
- Now also lifting mask mandate in conjunction with other measures
- Only exceptions:
- public transportation
- healthcare institutions
- schools
- Only exceptions:
- If not vaccinated, masks are still highly recommended
- If 2 weeks have passed since final shot, you should feel safe to resume activities without a mask
- Businesses free to set their own policies
- No legal mandate from the state
- If not vaccinated, you are strongly advised to do so – the easiest way to be protected is to be vaccinated right away
- 3,000 different locations offering the vaccine: pharmacies and 13 mass vaccination sites open with appointment or walk-up/drive through
- Numbers clearer than ever that vaccines are working
- 5.5 million shots in arms of Marylanders
- Amazing declines in all health metrics across the board and across the state
- Cases have dropped 68% per 1,000 – the lowest level since last July
- Hospitalizations below 700 for first time since November
- 1.91% positivity rate — 2nd lowest during pandemic
- Now 10 million tests per day
- 11,400 people across the state administering vaccines
- 87% of the most vulnerable citizens have received the vaccine
- The day we’ve been waiting for and working toward is here–the light at the end of the tunnel
- Thank you to healthcare heroes, National Guard citizen soldiers, and every single Marylander who has gotten the vaccine
- We will never forget the 8,716 Marylanders who were taken by this invisible killer
- Remember to be kind and respectful of one another
- State of Emergency is still in place; some easing of restrictions to help businesses recover are still in place and allow continued utilization of the National Guard
- Unemployment: the work search requirement has been reinstated, businesses have not been able to staff up
