COLUMBIA, MD (WJZ) – The Maryland Restaurant Association announced on Friday that it has filed lawsuits against three state jurisdictions in order to restore restaurants inside and out.
The group’s president and CEO, Marshall Weston, Jr., announced at a news conference Friday morning that he is calling for temporary restraining orders and preliminary action against Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
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The lawsuit calls for capacity limits to be set at the same level as those allowed at the state level by the last order of Governor Larry Hogan.
Weston said the latest restrictions on restaurants could lead to the permanent closure of thousands of people.
“Restaurants have continued to operate safely and there is no evidence that COVID is spreading to restaurants,” he said. “Relying on the spreading potential is not proof that it is not happening. If restaurants were indeed a source of COVID, we would have noticed significant increases while restaurants were open at a capacity of 75% and this did not happen. “
Closing the meal in person and dismissing employees weeks before the holidays “because of a government mandate” is “extremely unfair,” he added.
Maryland restaurants are announcing legal action to lift dining restrictions @wjz pic.twitter.com/oRievJnVte
– Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) December 18, 2020
Earlier this month, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced in his first full day in office a series of new restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19, including closing the indoor and outdoor dining table. These rules came into force on December 11 at 17:00.
On Friday afternoon, Scott said he had just been informed of the lawsuit, adding that the city’s law department and lawyer were examining him.
He defended the stricter order, adding the city’s plans to comply with the four-week period he stressed last week.
“What I did was guided by science and advice on public health, period,” he said.
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Lawyers representing some of the restaurants said they hoped the companies would be able to offer indoor and outdoor meals for Christmas.
Lawyers representing restaurants say they hope to stop state-wide indoor / outdoor dining bans in court in a few days – and hope restaurants can be opened at Christmas #BREAK IN @wjz pic.twitter.com/YzwcY82nDo
– Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) December 18, 2020
The announcement comes days after a judge blocked the ban on dining in Anne Arundel County a few hours before it was implemented. The ban was designed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
READ MORE: COVID-19 Latest: Judge blocks ban on dining in Anne Arundel County, says restrictions unfairly target restaurants
Watch the full press conference below:
For the latest information on coronavirus, visit Maryland Department of Health website or call 211. You can find all WJZ coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.