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COVID-19 Maryland Stay at Home order

Discuss upcoming events around the state.
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FrancisScottKey
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Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:38 pm
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Location: Near Frederick

COVID-19 Maryland Stay at Home order

Post by FrancisScottKey »

Due to the present "stay at home" directive within the State of Maryland, the Maryland Volunteer Reviewers have determined it is prudent to revise our reviewing practices effective March 30.

At this time, we will only be publishing caches in those locations which are consistent with social distancing, such as on a hiking trails, and/or far from residential areas and businesses. We will not be publishing event caches, caches in or near residential areas, caches near businesses, or caches in locations that are officially closed (such as state parks). If we are unsure about a particular cache, we will not publish it. We realize this approach imperfect, but we feel it is both consistent with Governor Hogan's “Stay Home” order and preferable to stopping all cache publication.

We will continue to monitor covid-19 information and communication and will continue to revisit which caches we can publish.

We will also begin to archive events as part of this directive that have not already been archived by the CO.

Thank you for understanding,
FrancisScottKey
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
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FrancisScottKey
MGS Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:38 pm
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Location: Near Frederick

Re: COVID-19 Maryland Stay at Home order

Post by FrancisScottKey »

I have been getting some questions about events for May in the last fey days. At this time no events would be allowed as the governor hasn't changed the stay at home order. The reviewers plans to review events already published during May and to begin to archive those that haven't been archived by the CO (cache owner). For now we only plan on doing this for the first half of May. Any events archived that would somehow be allowed by a change to the stay at home policy could be re-enabled at the request of the CO.

For anyone asking about getting an event published we are going to be very flexible when things open back up. If you submit an event the listing will be forced to be 14 days from that date but the reviewers will potentially change the date to less than that at your request. Our current general thinking is we will consider allowing 5 days as enough notification for an event that is established (reoccurring that happens regularly) and 7 days for everything else.

This goes without saying but this is all subject to change, but what we plan to do. If HQ provided further guidance we would take that into account. Like we said we plan on being very understanding and will be willing to work with you as much as we can.
FrancisScottKey
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
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FrancisScottKey
MGS Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:38 pm
5
Location: Near Frederick

Re: COVID-19 Maryland Stay at Home order

Post by FrancisScottKey »

With some restrictions being eased for outdoor activities starting 7AM tomorrow morning. If you submitted a cache that wasn't published due to stricter guidelines feel free to submit them again for approval. We will be easing many of those earlier restrictions. Nothing has changed when it comes to events those will not be published at this time.
FrancisScottKey
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
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FrancisScottKey
MGS Member
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:38 pm
5
Location: Near Frederick

Re: COVID-19 Maryland Stay at Home order

Post by FrancisScottKey »

Earlier today I choose to publish an event for June 22. In hind site I should have maybe held off.

Right now there is a limit of parties of 10 in MD. As long as that rule is in place there should be no events. You have no idea how many will show up. I published the other event thinking/hoping that by June 22 the number will be lifted. We want everyone to know that we want to be flexible but we also want you to know we have a process as well.

Until the governor provides and update on Monday (hopefully he lifts that 10 number) we will hold any submissions.

Sorry if this has caused any further confusion.
FSK
FrancisScottKey
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
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FrancisScottKey
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Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:38 pm
5
Location: Near Frederick

Re: COVID-19 Maryland Stay at Home order

Post by FrancisScottKey »

EVENT PUBLICATION UPDATE: 06/24/2020
Outdoor events will be allowed. As statewide restrictions are being lifted we believe it will be okay to allow those events to proceed. With limits to indoor seating and such NO INDOOR events will be considered at this time.

As the event owner you need to be aware of All local laws and assure they are applied during the event. An event must follow the local restrictions for event size. If the event holder isn't willing to assure that they should not be holding the event.
FrancisScottKey
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
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