Let’s take this economic reopening to the next level, shall we?

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says the state is moving into Stage Two of its “Roadmap to Recovery,” a three-stage plan for reopening the state’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest phase of Hogan’s reopening strategy calls for “a safe and gradual reopening of workplaces and businesses, along with additional personal services."

“Moving into Stage Two is an important step forward for our state after what has been a very difficult period,” Hogan said. “The people of our great state have endured so many significant personal, medical, and economic challenges. But in the face of the most daunting challenge in our lifetime, the people of Maryland have been resilient, they’ve never lost hope, and they are showing what it truly means to be Maryland strong.”

At 5 p.m. ET on June 5, Hogan will officially reopen non-essential businesses. The list of businesses that are allowed to reopen now includes:

• Manufacturers
• Construction companies
• Large and small retail shops
• Specialty vendors
• Wholesalers
• Warehouses
• Offices, including information technology firms, legal offices, accounting offices, banking and financial institutions, insurance agencies, design studios, advertising and architectural firms, and media production companies.

Read Gov. Hogan’s press release. | Watch his press conference.

In announcing the Stage Two reopening, Hogan offered this additional guidance:

“Real estate offices, travel agencies, auto dealer showrooms, bank branches, and various other offices also may safely reopen with public health and safety guidance recommendations in place. This guidance includes:

• Wearing face coverings whenever face-to-face interaction takes place.
• Conducting temperature checks for workers and other personnel.
• Limiting the proximity of employees by rotating employee hours.
• Instituting split schedules, shifts, or shorter work weeks.
• Staggering start, break, or shift times.

“Employees who can telework should continue to do so whenever possible.

“Additional personal services, including nail salons, massage therapists, tanning salons, and tattoo parlors, may resume operations at up to 50 percent capacity, by appointment only, and with appropriate health and safety guidelines.

“Maryland state government will also begin returning to more normal operations on Monday, June 8. The Motor Vehicle Administration and other customer-facing agencies will begin reopening select branches to customers on a limited basis by appointment only. Staff will be required to wear face coverings and will have plexiglass dividers at each station. With more Marylanders back to work, transit will begin to return to a more normal schedule and the Maryland State Department of Education will continue with its gradual plan to reopen child care centers.”

If COVID-19 data continues to trend in the right direction, Hogan said the next step in the state’s reopening plan will likely come near the end of the school year and could include the reopening of additional amusement, fitness, sporting, and other summertime activities.

Reopening guidance availablePlenty of guidance is available for businesses that want to reopen in a safe and responsible manner, including the following:

• MACPA guidance: “Reopening the Profession”
• Johns Hopkins toolkit for assessing reopening risks
• Additional resources from the state
• Listen to our “Future-Proof” podcast, “Taking Care of Your Employees During Trying Times,” featuring an interview with SIG Managing Partner Richard Silberstein.