Statutory authority to order business to close their doors
<p>In Maryland, Governor Hogan just ordered with "the full force of law" all restaurants, bars, movie theaters, gyms, etc. to close their doors to the public starting at 5 p.m.</p>

<p>What is his statutory authority to do this? I've read the MEMA code (§ 14), and read some of the health code. I'm not seeing it.</p>

<p>The key statutory tool is <a href="https://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2010/public-safety/title-14/subtitle-3/14-303/" rel="noreferrer">§14-303 of Title 14</a>. Having previously declared a state of emergency, </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>(b)  After proclaiming a state of emergency, the Governor may
  promulgate reasonable orders, rules, or regulations that the Governor
  considers necessary to protect life and property or calculated
  effectively to control and terminate the public emergency in the
  emergency area, including orders, rules, or regulations to: </p>
  
  <p>...</p>
  
  <p>(2) designate specific zones in the emergency area in which the
  occupancy and use of buildings and vehicles may be controlled; </p>
  
  <p>(3) control the movement of individuals or vehicles into, in, or from
  the designated zones; </p>
  
  <p>(4) control places of amusement and places of assembly; </p>
</blockquote>

united-states statutes emergencies