ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Monday afternoon announced that the state would be stepping up enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches and cases surge across the state.

At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency will send a wireless emergency alert to cell phones across the state to remind Marylanders of critical COVID-19 prevention measures and to provide information about state and local law enforcement actions.

In addition, the Maryland State Police will expand their COVID-19 Compliance and Coordination Center and deploy “High Visibility Compliance Units” across the state. Additional troopers will be assigned in every county to work in partnership with local authorities to investigate any reports of violations of state law.

“Businesses and individuals who blatantly violate the public health orders and refuse to follow state law are not only willfully endangering themselves, but their family, friends, and neighbors as well,” said Governor Hogan.

The governor also reminded Marylanders that both federal and state health officials are strongly advising against holiday travel, and that celebrating is safer if limited to members of your immediate household.

Additional guidance from the Maryland Department of Health is available here.