Marc Elrich’s proposal would also limit capacity in retail establishments and at indoor sporting events and outdoor religious gatherings.

Montgomery County / Flickr

Restaurants in Montgomery County, Maryland, would have to temporarily end indoor dining starting next Tuesday under a new proposal by County Executive Marc Elrich.

Elrich announced the proposal Wednesday, saying he’s sent it to the county council for review. If approved, the restrictions would take effect at 5 p.m. on Dec. 15.

Outdoor dining, curbside pickup, deliveries, and drive-throughs would still be allowed. But food and drinks could only be served outdoors until 10 p.m. The proposal exempts indoor dining at licensed health care facilities, the Bethesda Beat reports. Indoor dining is currently allowed in Montgomery County with capacity restrictions.

Elrich’s proposal would also limit capacity in retail establishments, including big-box chains and grocery stores, to one person per 200 square feet of space and 150 people at a time. It includes a 10-person restriction on nonprofessional indoor sports activities and a 25-person restriction on outdoor religious gatherings, unless organizers receive a waiver from county health officials.

Maryland saw more than 2,600 new COVID-19 cases and 51 deaths on Tuesday, with the D.C. area reaching more than 500,000 cases overall. Officials are bracing for a grueling winter in terms of the virus.

“We’re determined to do everything we can do to bend the curve again,” Elirch said during a press conference featuring various Maryland leaders. “We know how to do it, we’ve done it before, we’re gonna do it again.”