D.C., Maryland, Virginia Issue Stay-At-Home Orders, Allow Construction To Continue

Maryland and Virginia and D.C. residents will soon be restricted from leaving their homes unless for essential reasons, but the region's construction projects can proceed.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Monday enacted an executive order instituting a stay-at-home directive that will go into effect at 8 p.m. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also announced a stay-at-home order Monday. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a stay-at-home order Monday afternoon. 

The Maryland order lists a series of essential activities residents are allowed to perform, including buying groceries, outdoor exercise and caring for a family member. It also allows essential businesses to remain open.

Hogan last week ordered the closure of nonessential businesses, and Monday's order does not change the type of business operations that can remain open. A Hogan spokesperson told the Washington Post Saturday that construction activities were deemed essential and could continue.

Montgomery County Economic Development Corp. CEO Ben Wu and Prince George's County Economic Development Corp. CEO David Iannucci, in emails to Bisnow Monday afternoon, both said it is their understanding that construction is allowed to continue in the state. The entitlement process has also continued to move forward, as the planning bodies in the two suburban Maryland counties last week began holding virtual hearings. 

Virginia's order classifies the construction industry and construction supply stores as essential businesses that can continue to operate, ABC affiliate WHSV reports.

D.C.'s order also allows essential business to continue to operate, and a Bowser spokesperson confirmed to Bisnow that construction can proceed. 

Maryland has 1,414 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Monday, the Washington Post reported. Virginia has 1,021 cases and D.C. has 405. The region's death toll totaled 51 as of Monday. 

UPDATE, MARCH 30, 5:05 P.M. ET: This story has been updated to include the news of Virginia's and D.C.'s stay-at-home orders.