May 13, 2020

Dear MNLGA Members:

Its been a little quieter lately with COVID-19 updates, but good and encouraging news today. See below. (If you are a new member, you may wish to check our COVID-19 Resources Page for past e-blasts. For quite a long period, updates were issued daily, including information on recovery and relief programs, CDC guidelines, employee and employee relations information, retail promos, etc.)

Member Survey - I am still working on the formatting for the survey report. One of the suggestions I'd like to implement is creation of list of retail businesses that are open, and the hours that they are open. We will make this list available to members and put on social media. If you are open for any retail business, please reply to me at [email protected] and give me your company name, address, and hours of operation to consumers, and if you are open to foot traffic, doing curbside, and/or delivery.

New Information Today :
Governor Hogan to lift Stay-at-Home order this Friday evening at 5:00. A “Safer-at-Home” advisory is in effect. Read the summary of the order in the Baltimore Sun article . There are additional links within the article containing specific guidance for some industries, including retail, manufacturing, and personal services.  Note – some counties and jurisdictions will be rolling out their own timeline, particularly those counties hardest hit with the virus, including Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Harford, Howard, and Montgomery Counties. Mayor Young, Baltimore City, has also announced intention to slow down the “re-opening” of the City. 

Formal Interpretive Guidance for this announcement linked here – includes lawn and garden stores and florists - you are open for foot traffic!!!

The Governor’s office is encouraging businesses that are open to sign and display “The Maryland Strong: Back to Business Pledge.”   This pledge shows the company’s good faith and compliance with Link includes ready-made pledge document):
  • Create an environment that allows for physical distancing between individuals (6 feet is recommended) to the extent possible.
  • Ensure our place of business is routinely cleaned and encourage our employees to frequently wash their hands.
  • Provide flexibility to our employees, provide training and education and clearly communicate policies and procedures.
  • Reduce and disinfect as many ‘high touch surfaces’ as possible.
  • Additionally, follow guidance provided by the CDC, the Maryland Department of Health and our own industry.

CDC Reopening Guidance – see this link for guidelines on sanitation and COVID-19 precautions to consider and implement in your workplace.



Relief and Recovery – Congress is working on a Phase 4 draft of a stimulus bill. I’ll send summary, when available.

Remember to utilize the COVID-19 resources page on the MNLGA website . It includes resources to help connect with consumers, explanations and access to state and federal recovery, employment, and relief efforts, and more.

Please keep me in the loop and let me know how the MNLGA can help you.

Vanessa A. Finney
Executive Director, MNLGA
410-823-8684
Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Inc.
410-823-8684
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