Officials in Anne Arundel County are imposing new restrictions on dining and social gatherings as coronavirus infections rise across Maryland.

The rules, announced Thursday by Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, require restaurants to close at 10 p.m. and shuts down seating areas in mall food courts. It also restricts indoor social gatherings, such as parties, to 25 people or fewer and outdoor social gatherings to 50 people. 

“Rates of infection are a direct function of our behavior,” Pittman said in a statement. “We must respond immediately to our data.” 

The restrictions go into effect at 5 p.m. Friday.

Infection rates in Anne Arundel have risen since June 19, when Maryland reopened gyms, casinos, and malls as part of Phase 2 of a statewide reopening. Hospitalizations have also increased in the last two weeks, county health data show.

Earlier this week, the state’s most populous localities, including Anne Arundel, called on state health officials to tighten restrictions as COVID-19 cases surged across Maryland. 

The state recorded 925 new cases on Sunday–the highest number in a single day since May 30. There have been a total of 80,836 cases in Maryland and 3,281 confirmed deaths, according to the state health department.

In a letter, county health officials asked Frances Phillips, the state’s deputy secretary for public health services, to reconsider activities allowed under Phase 2 of reopening. 

The health officers said they were prepared to act quickly, if the state does not, and outlined actions they were considering, including closing indoor restaurant service, closing indoor recreation facilities, imposing limits on large gatherings, and restricting travel to and from coronavirus hotspots.

Charlie Gischlar, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health, said in a statement Tuesday that localities have the flexibility to make decisions about reopening.

“They have the authority–and the obligation–to close and sanction businesses that are not in compliance with public health orders,” he said.