Casinos: Some Maryland. The sunflower farm that’s a popular fall attraction won’t be open this year. RELIGIOUS: Catholic Church. The campus is closed to general visitors starting March 17. Wisconsin will keep casinos closed until at least May 26. 'We immediately got calls from Milwaukee casino customers asking if we would be open,' Hill said. Individual churches. With more casinos reopening in the area, we wanted to know if it’s too soon. We turned to Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, professor of medicine and infectious disease expert at UCLA.

Church In Casino

Slot machines are open every other one, craps spacing people out, table games like blackjack have a max of three players it appears. All employees, dealers, etc. Are wearing masks, few of any cops and maybe 10% of patrons.” He went on to note that sanitizing stations are located all over the casino and hotel. You can go to a casino, but you can't go to church. ADF Legal Senior Counsel David Cortman tells us how we can win back our religious freedom.

Even though the number or coronavirus cases and deaths continue to grow in Maryland, hospitalizations are declining.

The state can enter Phase Three of the Maryland Roadmap to Recovery Plan at 5 p.m. on Friday, September, 4.

Movie theaters and live entertainment venues will be able to open at 50 percent capacity, or up to 100 people at indoor venues, or 250 people at outdoor venues.

All retail stores, as well as churches and houses of worship, will be able to increase capacity from 50 percent to 75 percent.

The state entered Phase Two of the Maryland Roadmap to Recovery Plan at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5. Baltimore, meanwhile, moved to Phase One on June 8. On June 19, it moved to Phase Two.

Gov. Hogan said the law still empowers individual counties to make decisions that are more restricted regarding the timing of Stage 3 reopenings.

Read how each county is handling the reopening here.

Gov. Hogan released guidance for businesses to follow amid the reopening process, including asking customers and staff to wear face masks and to practice social distancing.

The governor said state the Department of Education will continue with its plan to reopen child care centers as more people head back to work.

Government agencies such as the MVA will move toward a “phased reopening” offering services by appointment only.

WHAT’S ALLOWED TO REOPEN (Click here for based in county)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

Art galleries will be able to reopen in parts of the state.

ELECTIVE PROCEDURES:

If you had not done an elective procedure due to the coronavirus, you can get it done now as long as the facility where the procedure will take place is OK with it.

MANUFACTURING:

All manufacturing operations can resume with safety precautions in place in parts of the state.

Click here for best practices.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

The state has reopened Department of Natural Resources parks and beaches. State-owned playgrounds will also reopen. Local governments can have the flexibility to take similar actions at their discretion.

Golfing, fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and trapping are all allowed.

PERSONAL OR PET SERVICES:

Personal services including salons and barbershops can reopen at 75 percent capacity with safety guidelines in place. Appointments will be required.

Pet groomers, animal adoption shelters and car washes can also reopen.

Click here for best practices.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES:

Churches and other religious facilities are allowed to hold worship services in parts of the state. While outdoor services are recommended, indoor services are allowed at up to 75 percent capacity and with appropriate physical distancing and mask requirements.

Churches will remain closed in Baltimore city as well as Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

RETAIL STORES:

Retail stores are reopened in some parts of the state with proper safety precautions, including physical distancing and mask requirements.

Click here for best practices.

The Latest On Closures & Reopenings

Note: this list will be updated as places reopen

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

9:30 Club & The Anthem: I.M.P., the group that owns the Merriweather Post Pavilion, is postponing all shows at 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre, the Anthem and U Street Music Hall and indefinitely postponed.

Patrons who bought tickets should contact I.M.P for a refund. Click here for more details.

American Visionary Art Museum:AVAM remains closed to the public until further notice even though Baltimore is in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan.

Annapolis Opera: All April and May performances were canceled, including the Vocal Competition and the Grand Finale Concert. Click here for more details.

Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar: The farmers market reopened on June 14. Here’s what you can expect when you go.

Baltimore Museum of Art: The Baltimore Museum of Art is currently still closed.

Baltimore Museum of Industry: The museum is still temporarily closed. In the meantime, its parking lot will be used as a COVID-19 testing center.

They are also offering free activities for online visitors.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: The orchestra is canceling all concerts and public events through June 14 at both the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore. Many events have been rescheduled. Visit the BSO’s website for more information.

Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower: The Baltimore Office of Promotion & Arts announced the closure of all attractions and galleries starting March 14.

B&O Railroad Museum: The B&O Railroad Museum is closed until non-essential businesses can reopen.

Casinos:Some Maryland casinos have reopened following the governor lifting restrictions on them on June 19.

HACK Baltimore: All events are canceled. Check their website or social media for updates.

Hippodrome Theatre: Several shows and musicals have been postponed.

• Performances of “Celtic Woman Celebration – The 15th Anniversary Tour” and “The Band’s Visit” will be postponed.
• Performances of “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” scheduled for April 14-19 have been postponed to August 18-23.
• ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ shows that were scheduled from May 5-17 have been canceled.

Irvine Nature Center: The center remains closed. Trails and grounds will remain open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Maryland Science Center: The Maryland Science Center reopened on July 2, but the IMAX theater will remain closed.

Maryland Zoo: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore reopened June 24 to members and reopened to the general public on June 27. Tickets must be purchased online in advance to limit the number of guests during the day.

Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric: The Lyric remains closed. Numerous events have been postponed. Some have been rescheduled; visit their website for the latest information.

Exhibits will be live-streamed and educational materials are available on their website.

National Aquarium: The National Aquarium reopened on July 1. Attendance is limited to 25 percent capacity and all guests and staff over the age of two will be required to wear a face mask.

Racetracks: All Maryland racetracks were closed per order of Gov. Larry Hogan on March 16. Pimlico Race Course will reopen Thursday, June 25 for simulcast racing only.

School 33 Art Center: The Baltimore Office of Promotion & Arts announced the closure of all attractions and galleries starting March 14. Although some of the BOPA attractions have planned reopenings, there is no information yet on the art center.

Six Flags America: Six Flags America and its waterpark Hurricane Harbor on Friday, July 3.

Smithsonian: The Smithsonian has canceled all public events, programming and gatherings. All museums remain closed. Here’s how you can still enjoy the Smithsonian online.

The Cloisters: The Baltimore Office of Promotion & Arts announced the closure of all attractions and galleries starting March 14. It will open by appointment only on July 1.

Top Of The World: The Top of the World’s Observation Deck will reopen on July 16 after it was closed on March 14.

Walters Art Museum: The Walters Art Museum remains closed to the public. For the latest, click here.

BUSINESSES:

Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the closure of all enclosed shopping malls and entertainment venues across the state effective at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 19, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

AMC Theaters: AMC Theaters remain closed in Maryland.

Baltimore Public Markets: The markets were closed on March 19. Curbside pickup is available.

Flying Dog Brewery: Flying Dog has closed their tasting room and canceled all events at the brewery.

Guinness Brewery: The Guinness Brewery reopened on June 18.

Lexington Market: Lexington Market will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 19, until further notice. Curbside pickup is available.

Regal Cinemas: Regal Cinemas have been closed since March 15 in Maryland.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Brew At The Zoo: The summer event at the Maryland Zoo has been postponed until the fall.

Sunflowers In Jarrettsville: The sunflower farm that’s a popular fall attraction won’t be open this year.

RELIGIOUS:

Catholic Church: Public Masses will be allowed to resume in-person group worship services for the weekend of May 30, the Archdiocese of Baltimore said on May 22, the same day President Donald Trump declared religious institutions essential services.

All churches within the Archdiocese of Baltimore had been asked to limit attendance at all Masses and events to fewer than 250 people.

Episcopal Church: The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is canceling public worship services starting March 15 and lasting until at least May 31. A virtual worship service will be available online here. The diocese is also banning the distribution of wine for the next few months.

“Some congregations will be able to regather sooner than others. Some will not feel comfortable regathering until July or August,” the diocese said on its website as of May 23.

SCHOOLS:

Colleges: All Maryland colleges and universities moved to online learning through the spring. Many commencements were also moved online. They are now preparing for the fall semester and deciding if students will come back.

FIRST Chesapeake: All district events, including robotics events at McDonough School March 14 and 15, are canceled.

Harford Community College: Campus will remain closed through May 16. Classes will be held online.

Loyola University Maryland’s“Building a Better World Through Business” event series from March 24 to 26 is canceled.

Naval Academy: Midshipmen did not return from Spring Break until the weekend of March 28. Online/remote instruction began on March 20. The campus is closed to general visitors starting March 17.

Induction ceremonies for the incoming Class of 2024 have been pushed back to the period between June 29 and July 2. Family members and friends will not be allowed to attend.

Public Schools: All public schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2020 academic year. Many school districts will be holding virtual graduation ceremonies to honor the class of 2020. Harford County Public Schools said they will hold individual in-person graduations.

SPORTS:

Baltimore Shamrock 5K: The Baltimore Shamrock 5K has been canceled. All race registrations will be deferred to the 2021 race.

The Masters: The Masters has been moved to November due to COVID-19, CBS Sports reported.

Maryland Jockey Club: Pimlico, Laurel Park and Rosecroft Raceway have resumed live racing without spectators.

MLS: Major League Soccer canceled their season.

NBA: The NBA season has been suspended since mid-March; it could return this summer, CBS Sports reported.

NCAA: All NCAA winter and spring championships have been canceled, CBS Sports reports.

NHL: The National Hockey League has paused its season. CBS Sports reported on May 22 that the league will move to a 24-team, conference-based playoff format, though it’s unclear when that may begin.

Orioles: The MLB Players Association told the league Tuesday that players will comply with commissioner Rob Manfred’s imposed outline for a 2020 season.

CBS Sports reports that players will report for another version of “spring” training on July 1, and the league’s imposed 60-game season will start either July 23 or 24. The regular season will end on September 27.

For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department’s website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ’s coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.

A California judge ordered San Diego to reopen strip clubs while the county carries on with its crackdown on churches and restrictions on in-person learning at schools.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel R. Wohlfeil ordered California to end any actions that prevent the clubs from “being allowed to provide live adult entertainment,” according to The Washington Free Beacon, which noted that the decision is not final as a full hearing will be held at the end of the month.

Two adult clubs filed a lawsuit in October, alleging that the county’s public health orders violated the businesses’ constitutional rights of due process and equal protection under the law, according to the Los Angeles Times.

This week, San Diego moved back to the purple tier of the state's COVID-19 lockdown, requiring indoor restaurants to move to outdoor service only, limiting the capacity of retail businesses, and restricting in-person classes at schools.

Many California churches have been fighting legal battles with authorities for months to reopen in-person services.

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Paul Jonna, special counsel for the conservative legal group Thomas More Society, said the churches are also entitled to constitutional protections if strip clubs are being protected.

“If you’re going to accept that argument that dancing nude is protected speech that’s so significant that it overcomes the government’s interest in regulating its citizens with COVID-19 orders, then obviously the divine worship of God, which is expressly mentioned in the First Amendment, should be held to a higher standard,” Jonna told the Beacon.

Jonna called the county’s decision “absurd” and shows double standards.

“A judge who understands the Constitution will recognize the absurdity of the current state of the law. I think it’s a good sign that judges are starting to question whether the government has a legitimate interest in regulating any business or industry at this point.”

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond seemed to agree, stating in a tweet on Tuesday: “If we’ve learned anything over the past seven months, it’s that this shotgun approach of closing all businesses doesn’t work. Instead, we need to look at where people are getting sick and approach it with a scalpel. Shutting down an entire industry goes too far.”

In an earlier statement, Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said: “There is no dispute that the government has a compelling interest in restricting assemblies during times of pandemic, but several states, including Minnesota, California and Nevada, have pursued policies that are inconsistent, incoherent and not neutral toward religious gatherings as opposed to non-religious gatherings.”

Pastor Mike McClure of Calvary Chapel in San Jose, Santa Clara County, has faced fines of at least $350,000 and a lawsuit for holding indoor services since May 31 in violation of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s restrictions on churches.

McClure’s congregation was one of the more than 1,000 churches across California that decided to regather for indoor services at the end of May.

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Nevada Governor Shuts Down Casinos

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Are Churches Closed In Nevada

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