CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

State of Maryland

Through bipartisan legislation the state established the new Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program in 2021 with $10 million in state Relief Act Funding. April 6, 2021 is the application close date.
The state also established the Small, Minority and Women Owned Business Account COVID-19 RELIEF Program - Click Here for more information regarding this program.
The Federal Paycheck Protection program began accepting applications on January 11, 2021. For more information, click here.
To find out more information regarding state programs and financial assistance due to COVID-19, click here

State Level Restrictions

Capacity limits will be lifted on outdoor and indoor dining at restaurants and bars, retail businesses, religious facilities, fitness centers, gaming and certain racing facilities, personal services, and indoor recreational establishments.
Bars and restaurants will be open for seated and distanced service only—patrons may not stand at a crowded bar. Masking, physical distancing, and other safety protocols will remain in place.
- For indoor restaurants, table limits are increased from 6-10 people.
- Every booth can be utilized indoors with appropriate divider separation, as opposed to every other booth.
- Buffets are allowed to operate with precautions
- Please visit the Maryland Department of Health’s Food Service Protection Website for additional details
Large outdoor and indoor venues may begin operating at 50% capacity.
Medical adult day care centers may reopen, with facilities able to set appropriate restrictions and safety measures.
See proclamations and orders issued by Governor Larry Hogan related to COVID-19, along with interpretive guidance from the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel here.
A travel advisory remains in place, but quarantine requirements are lifted for Marylanders who do travel outside of the state. Marylanders are still strongly encouraged to limit travel and obtain a negative COVID-19 test result upon return to the state. Read the governor’s order.

information regarding state level restrictions from the Maryland.gov website

Updated - On June 3rd, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals updated the previous order of April 14, 2020 with detail phases for the Court Systems reopening in the State of Maryland. Click here to read the full order. Currently we are in Phase 2. The Court system will begin Phase 3 on July 20, 2020.

On April 14, 2020, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, Mary Barbera, ordered that all Maryland courts to be closed, except on emergency operations and limited exeptions from March 17, 2020 through June 5th or until further order. Click here to read the full order.

UPDATE FOR DC BUSINESSES

Update - June 25, 2020

Click here for the situational update from Mayor Bowser as DC begins Phase 2 of opening to the public and resuming some activities.

Update - April 23, 2020 -

Click here for the situational update from Mayor Bowser.

Update - April 15, 2020 -

Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the state of emergency and public health emergency Order 2020-063. The new order gives guidance for who is required to wear masks:

hotel workers, guest and visitors;
workers and customers of food sellers;
individuals using taxis, ride shares, private transportation providers; and
strongly encouraged for workers and individuals using public transit.

Non-essential businesses remain closed, and DC students will continue to learn at home.

Click here to read Mayor Bowser's Stay At Home Order.

Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. all non-essential businesses are to close in D.C. as ordered by Mayor Muriel Bowser following Maryland's lead to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered restaurants, bars, movie theaters, health clubs, spas, and massage parlors to close to patrons to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

UPDATE FOR MARYLAND BUSINESSES

On June 12th, Governor Hogan began implementing the phased approach of reopening Maryland. Click here to view Governor Hogan's revised Order.

On April 15, 2020, Governor Hogan updated the state of emergency proclaimed on March 5, 2020 Requiring use of Face Coverings Under Certain Circumstances and Requiring Implementation of Certain Physical Distancing Measures.

Click here to view Governor Hogan's Order.

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 all non-essential businesses are to close and remain closed until further notice in the State of Maryland as ordered by Governor Larry Hogan.

The date to file Personal Property Tax Returns and/or Annual Report Filing has been extended from April 15th to July 15th for all business entities formed or doing business in the State of Maryland. For more information from the Maryland State Department of Assessment click here.

GLF OFFICE

GLF continues to be here and available to assist our clients as well as those individuals and businesses in need of legal help during this unprecedented time. We understand that many of you are facing difficult times and need legal representation, advice and counsel. Please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to serving your business and legal needs.

GLF is closely monitoring the developments related to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effects on our community. With the increasing number of cases reported throughout North America as well as reported cases in our area, we understand the heightened concern about your health and safety. Therefore, we are taking steps to ensure that our staff remain safe while continuing to provide value to the public and our clients.

Currently, our office is open during our regular business hours to provide legal representation, advice and counsel. However, we are accepting in-person meetings by appointment only. Additionally, we continue to be available via telephone, email, text and mail.

Your health and safety is our main concern at this time and we thank all of our current clients for your understanding.

The Gibbs Law Firm

LLC