Maryland and Virginia governors unveil road maps to recovery but say states aren't ready to open yet

Hogan, a Republican, said that the state plans to follow the federal guidelines issued by President Donald Trump last week, which call for states to meet specific metrics before considering lifting restrictions, including a 14-day downward trend in key numbers. He warned that the state has not yet hit its peak for coronavirus cases and deaths,.

"Here in Maryland we took some of the earliest and most aggressive actions in the nation to slow the spread of Covid-19. Because of those efforts ... we have far fewer cases, hospitalizations and deaths than all of the models were calling for," he said.

"We have been successful in flattening and lengthening the curve in our state, and we have not had the very high spikes that you have seen in other states," he added. "But that is also why we are several weeks behind those other states who spiked earlier, and the number of new cases of Covid-19 is still rising here in Maryland and throughout the Maryland, DC and Virginia region. And by the federal standards instituted last week, and under the guidance given in the studies and reopening plans that we cited, Maryland is not yet able to lift our restrictions."

The announcement of Hogan and Northam's plans to reopen their states and economies are an important marker both the states and Washington, DC. Those three entities have promised to work together closely on reopening their economies from stay-at-home orders meant to limit the spread of coronavirus.

In Virginia, Northam announced a "Forward Virginia Blueprint" on Friday and said he does not anticipate reopening the state before May 8

The Democrat explained that phase one of reopening will require downward trends in new cases and hospitalizations for 14 days, increased testing and contact tracing and a sustainable supply of hospital beds and personal protective equipment. The specifics for the second and third phases have not yet been unveiled.

The first phase would involve some businesses reopening with social distancing measures still in place, teleworking continuing if possible and the recommendation of wearing face masks in public.

Northam compared the recovery to the aftermath of September 11 and said Virginia's goal is to eventually process 10,000 tests per day. The state processed 4,000 tests each of the last two days.

"Americans were fearful of getting on an airplane and flying, understandably so, and so a lot of modifications were made and in time people again became comfortable," Northam said. "That's what we're doing with all of our efforts."

Hogan unveiled a more specific three-pronged "Maryland Strong Roadmap to Recovery" plan's three stages at Friday's news conference.

The first stage would begin by lifting the state's stay-at-home order. It would include reopening many small businesses, including certain retail shops and golf courses, and restarting many lower-risk community activities, like recreational boating and fishing, tennis and outdoor religious activities, along with outdoor fitness and gym classes. It would also include the resumption of elective outpatient surgeries and procedures in certain counties with lower concentrations of cases.

Local governments could have additional flexibility to open things including parks and playgrounds, municipal recreation centers and libraries. These decisions would be based on the ability to continue physical distancing and to continue limits on person-to-person contact.

If stage one activities resumed successfully without a spike in deaths, a sustained spike in intensive-care unit cases or significant unforeseen outbreaks of community transmission they would then move into stage two.

The second stage would see a larger number of businesses would reopen, nonessential workers who cannot telework return to work and other public activities return. Indoor religious gatherings could resume with limited capacity and physical distancing measures. It would include raising the limits on the number of people in social gatherings. Stage two could also see more normal public transit schedules and opening of restaurants and potentially bars with significant safety restrictions.

The third and final stage would reinstitute higher-risk activities, such as larger social gatherings, events, religious gatherings and activities at entertainment venues and a further lessening of restrictions at hospitals and eventually nursing homes.

Hogan said the numbers state officials are most focused are the rate of hospitalizations and the numbers of patients being admitted to intensive care units.

It won't be until those numbers start going down or there's "a consistent plateauing of those metrics" that the state can consider reopening, he said.

Hogan added that he's hoping the state's recovery can begin in early May, if social distancing measures stay in effect and are properly followed by state residents.

Under Maryland's stay-at-home order issued last month, residents are only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons such as visiting grocery stores, pharmacies, to exercise or seek medical attention. It is also being enforced by law enforcement, and those who violate the order could face a misdemeanor and be jailed for up to one year or fined $5,000.

Hogan also issued an order earlier this month requiring to commuters and employees to wear a mask or facial covering when using Maryland public transit. Employees and customers over age 9 must also wear facial coverings inside essential businesses, though adults accompanying young children should make an effort to get them to wear a mask if they're in an essential business.

Maryland is also one of several states that has experienced protests in recent days against stay-at-home orders, with residents calling for states to reopen.

There are more than 889,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the United States and territories. More than 50,000 people have died. Maryland more than 16,000 cases and at least 790 residents have died.

This story and its headline have been updated with details from Virginia's reopening plan.