On Sunday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan took the decision-making out of the hands of the six Maryland casino owners and closed down their operations indefinitely due to the coronavirus spread in the state.

The owners had pledged to reduce their customer capacity by 50% to minimize customer interactions starting on Monday. Still, Hogan, who has already shut down Maryland schools for the next two weeks, made the call.

Republicans have been calling out the national media for pushing hysteria over the coronavirus situation, which was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization late last week.

MORE NEWS: POTUS Announces National Emergency Over Coronavirus; MD Reports 6 New Cases

It is critical to public health and safety that bars, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses across the state comply with the executive order prohibiting mass gatherings. Failure to follow this order is a crime, and will be enforced if businesses fail to comply.

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 15, 2020

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the state’s casinos, racetracks and simulcast betting facilities to close to the public “indefinitely” Sunday in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is critical to public health and safety that bars, restaurants, and other non-essential businesses across the state comply with the executive order prohibiting mass gatherings,” Hogan, a Republican, wrote on Twitter. “Failure to follow this order is a crime, and will be enforced if businesses fail to comply.”

The list notably includes MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, just outside the District, and Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. [Washington Times]

Anyone who hosts or is part of the crowds in bars this weekend is jeopardizing the health of others and must avoid any contact with family members or friends over the age of 60 or those with underlying health conditions.

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 15, 2020

In light of the serious public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic, I have issued an emergency order to close all Maryland casinos, racetracks, and simulcast betting facilities to the general public indefinitely.

Learn more: https://t.co/2QCi9f1Zc5

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 15, 2020

Maryland’s casinos, the Live Casino & Hotel, Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County, Ocean Downs in Berlin and MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill are privately owned and operated; they are regulated by the Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.

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This piece was written by Wayne Dupree on March 15, 2020. It originally appeared in WayneDupree.com and is used by permission.

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