Blog Post
MD Businesses: Planning & Responding to Coronavirus FAQ
- By 7016234673
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- 25 Mar, 2020
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Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
What does a “State of Emergency” mean?
A state of emergency has been declared in order to allow Maryland to coordinate and request
emergency resources and support in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus). A state of
emergency allows the Governor to access certain resources in order to increase the State’s
response.
A state of emergency is a good indicator that residents should remain alert and follow officials’
orders and news stations in order to be informed of the situation.
Will stores and businesses be open during a State of Emergency?
This state of emergency itself does not require employers to close. The Maryland Emergency
Management Agency asks that all employers consider employee safety at all times and review
their teleworking, leave, and continuity of operations plans and policies. Businesses are
encouraged to practice social distancing, teleworking, and other healthy habits to keep workers
safe during the outbreak.
As of 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, Governor Hogan has ordered all “non-essential” businesses
to close to the general public, but there is a long list of businesses to which that order DOES
NOT apply. To see if your business is exempt, please consult the state’s legal guidance on the
governor’s executive order, which can be read here and here. The governor’s order follows
federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If “essential” or
“non-essential” status is still unclear, please use this as guidance.
The Governor’s orders also prohibit any gatherings of more than 10 people in the state. These
emergency orders carry the full force of the law. Essential services such as grocery stores, gas
stations, pharmacies, and banks will remain open. Read more here.
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
Is my business required to close or are we considered an
“essential” business or service?
As of 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, Governor Hogan has ordered all “non-essential” businesses
to close to the general public, but there is a long list of essential businesses to which that
closure order DOES NOT apply. To see if your business may be an essential business and
exempt from the closure order, please consult the state’s legal guidance on the governor’s
The governor’s order follows federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
To see Homeland Security’s list of what is considered an essential business, click here. If
“essential” or “non-essential” status is still unclear, please use this as guidance.
If you have a question whether or not your business is essential, please contact
secretary.commerce@maryland.gov. If you have other questions pertaining to essential or
non-essential businesses, please email psector@maryland.gov, which is monitored by the
Maryland Emergency Management team.
If yours is an essential business that is exempt from the closure requirement under the
executive order, you must still follow health protocols such as social distancing and effective
cleaning and disinfection, and do everything in your power to prevent groups of 10 or more
people from congregating in one area. You can find more guidance from the CDC here.
Restaurants and Bars: The maximum gathering size restriction on gatherings of individuals
(currently 10) referred to in the Executive Order does not apply to the numbers of employees
who are working at restaurants and bars that sell food or beverages for carry-out, drive-through,
or delivery. Those food service establishments should however follow any social-distancing
recommendations of the Maryland Department of Health to avoid the spread of the virus.
Please continue to check our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Businesses webpage for
the latest information and guidance.
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
Can I file my business taxes if there is a State of Emergency?
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has announced that Maryland business and individual
income taxpayers will be given a 90-day extension for tax payments. No interest or penalty for
late payments will be imposed if 2019 tax payments are made by July 15, 2020. See here for
more information, or reach out to taxpayerrelief@marylandtaxes.gov with questions.
Comptroller Franchot also extended business-related tax filing deadlines to June 1. For
additional information regarding business tax returns - including sales and use tax, alcohol tax,
etc. - and income tax extensions, click here. Businesses who paid their Maryland Sales & Use
Taxes for March early may request a refund of their payment by emailing
Taxpayers who have set up a payment through their own online banking services will need to
stop that transaction through their banks. Taxpayers who have scheduled a payment through
the Comptroller’s iFIle or bFile can request to have a debit from their account stopped as long
as it is at least 3 days prior to the scheduled payment date.
If taxpayers have individual requests for assistance, they should contact Taxpayer Services at
What about my business license or permit that is about to expire?
Because renewing expiring permits or licenses often requires the public to enter public buildings
and interact with state employees; all licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations
issued by the state, its agencies or any political subdivision that would expire during the current
state of emergency will be extended until the 30th day after the state of emergency is lifted.
How can I prepare my business ahead of time?
The U.S. Department of Labor has developed some guidelines for how companies can prepare
their workplace for COVID-19. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has launched a COVID-19 website with information specifically for workers and
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
employers. There is also information on issues relating to wages and hours worked under the
Fair Labor Standards Act available here.
As a business, how can I help protect my employees?
The CDC is encouraging routine environmental cleaning for businesses, as well as encouraging
sick employees to stay home and advising other employees to take specific steps before
traveling. Click here for more guidance and information.
Additionally, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has activated its Virtual
Business Operation Center (VBOC) to address inquiries from the private sector. It can be
accessed by clicking here. Businesses that are interested in increasing engagement
surrounding emergency operations can learn more through MEMA's Private Sector Integration
Program.
If I’m required to close my business, will I get reimbursed from my
insurance company for financial losses? What about Business
Interruption Insurance?
According to the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA), lost business income insurance is
subject to the specific terms and conditions of your policy. Contact the broker or agent that sold
the policy, the insurance company or the Maryland Insurance Administration with any questions.
MIA is also receiving a high volume of inquiries about Business Interruption insurance. Business
Interruption coverage is typically triggered under a commercial insurance policy when a covered
risk / peril causes physical damage to the insured premises resulting in the need to shut down
business operations. All insurance policies have exclusions of coverage for risks that are too
great to be underwritten at an affordable price. Global pandemics like COVID-19 usually fall into
this category. However, policies can be different. Read more here.
For details on Unemployment Benefits, visit DLLR’s FAQ guide online. For more information
from the Maryland Insurance Administration, click here.
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
If my business experiences a temporary or permanent layoff, what
steps can I take?
If a business experiences a temporary or permanent layoff, Labor’s Division of Unemployment
Insurance’s Bulk Claim Services can open unemployment insurance claims for all affected
employees. To determine if a business is eligible, please visit our Bulk Claims Services
Frequently Asked Questions page. If a business is eligible, they should contact a Claims
Representative by emailing UI.BulkClaim@maryland.gov. For additional information, visit the
What resources are available to those who are working in
response to the nationwide outbreak?
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
has issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to
commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to COVID-19. Please visit
their website for more information.
My business is impacted by the outbreak. Where can I find a
low-interest loan to assist during this time?
The Maryland Department of Commerce has announced three new business assistance
programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a $75 million loan fund, a $50
million grant program, and a $5 million incentive program to help Maryland manufacturers
produce personal protective equipment (PPE). For more information, visit the Financial
Assistance section on this website. For more information about all new business relief
programs, click here.
Additionally, Governor Hogan recently announced that the entire state of Maryland has received
official designation from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for its Economic Injury
Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which provides low-interest federal disaster loans for small
businesses impacted by the Coronavirus. According to the SBA, the loans will help alleviate
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
financial strain and allow businesses to pay bills, payroll, and accounts payable, with long-term
payments stretching up to 30 years. Small businesses and private non-profit organizations can
apply directly to the SBA for financial assistance at this link. For more information about
Maryland’s designation, click here. Please note - if you have trouble submitting the application
online, it can also be mailed or faxed to SBA.
We will continue to update our website as we receive more information about SBA loans,
additional financial resources, and more. Please continue to check back regularly as we push
out information to the masses: https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/coronavirus
You can also visit SBA’s website for guidance for businesses and employers. If you need
additional help navigating the SBA process, Maryland SBDC can help.
What if I’m currently playing off an SBA loan from a previous
disaster?
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced changes to help borrowers still
paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through
December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do
not have to contact SBA to request deferment. Read more.
My business is hosting an event in the upcoming weeks. Should it
be postponed?
Effective immediately, gatherings of more than 10 people, including social, community, spiritual,
religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings, are prohibited at all locations and
venues. Read the emergency order.
Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after termination of
the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been
rescinded.
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
I need to take off work to care for a family member. Where can I
find help?
The Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Labor and Industry enforces the Maryland
Health Working Families Act, also known as safe and sick leave, which may be useful for
employees who need to take off from work due to COVID-19.
To learn more about the law, email ssl.assistance@maryland.gov.
Are Maryland’s casinos open?
Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order to close all Maryland casinos, racetracks, and
simulcast betting facilities to the general public indefinitely. Please see the latest announcement
for more information.
What is the status of the state’s cruise terminal and the Port of
Baltimore?
The Port of Baltimore is open for business. With declines in international container volumes due
to the coronavirus, Ports America Chesapeake, the company that operates Seagirt Marine
Terminal, is open from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. These hours only impact
Seagirt. The five other public marine terminals at the Port of Baltimore are open regular hours, 6
a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. These terminals carry farm and construction equipment,
cars/light trucks, paper products and breakbulk cargo (such as transit vehicles and yachts).
In accordance with Governor Larry Hogan’s March 12 executive order, the cruise terminal is
closed. To date, there have been no confirmed cases of Coronavirus connected to Port of
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
How have operations at BWI Airport changed?
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport are open and operating, but access is
restricted to ticketed passengers and badged airport workers. The only exception is for people
assisting disabled travelers. The airport is offering the “first hour free” in its hourly garage to
allow family and friends to wait in the garage for arriving travelers. Sit-down restaurants and
bars in the airport have suspended dine-in services. Where available, carry-out is being
provided, with limited seating in food courts.
The airport is coordinating with TSA to close some lanes in security checkpoints to provide
additional separation between passengers. The airport also is working with airlines to adjust
ticketing and bag check functions, where possible, to provide added space. Regarding flights,
travelers should contact their airlines for updated flight status information. Airline information is
available on the BWI Marshall website. For other updates, follow on Facebook and Twitter.
If restaurants are closed, are breweries closed too?
Governor Hogan has ordered the closure of all bars, restaurants, and similar establishments to
the general public effective March 16 at 5PM. Drive-thru, carry-out, and delivery services will
continue. Read more here. Additionally, to help these establishments, the Governor has clarified
that breweries, wineries, and distilleries can still sell/deliver products. Read more.
In an effort to help Maryland’s craft alcohol manufacturers keep their businesses afloat through
the COVID-19 pandemic, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that his office is temporarily
suspending its enforcement of limits imposed on customers purchasing beer and distilled spirits.
Current state law restricts how much product a Maryland-based craft brewery and craft distillery
can sell to its customers for carryout and off-premise consumption.
This action puts local manufacturers on a level playing field with Maryland's package stores,
which are not bound by the same sales limits. It also could preserve jobs for brewery and
distillery employees who may otherwise have been laid off during the state of emergency. Read
more.
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
Are Maryland’s Welcome Centers open to the public?
As of Friday, March 13, all state Welcome Centers are closed until further notice. All centers
have signs being placed to announce the closure. Rest areas, including bathrooms and parking,
remain open.
More information can be found by calling 877-333-4455 or going to visitmaryland.org. You can
also email questions to info@visitmaryland.org. Phones are being monitored during normal
business hours, and emails will be responded to within 24 hours, if possible.
Are Maryland’s State Parks open to the public?
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and park has closed to the public. All
other parks are still open with limited, basic operations, providing areas for people to enjoy
recreation while practicing social distancing. No buildings are open except comfort stations.
Large events will be cancelled on a rolling basis as necessary. Find more information from the
What's the best way to get tested?
The Maryland Department of Health is taking the lead on providing health guidance to the
general public. If you have recently traveled to any geographic area of concern or were in
contact with someone with COVID-19, and you become sick with fever, cough or have difficulty
breathing, seek medical care right away.
Follow these steps:
• Call your doctor or emergency room before you go
• Tell them about recent travel and close contacts (such as people in your household)
• Wear a mask, if one is available
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
Frequently Asked Questions for Maryland Businesses Planning and
Responding to the Coronavirus
Where can I find the latest information on COVID-19?
Please visit the Maryland Department of Health who is providing updates as they become
available: health.maryland.gov/coronavirus
Where can I find the latest updates from Governor Larry Hogan
on the state’s response to the outbreak?
Please visit the Office of Governor Larry Hogan online:
We encourage members of the business community to reach out with their questions by emailing
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov. For more more resources, please visit
301-714-2047
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