Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman will ease COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants and other businesses starting Friday, a response to the decreasing case rate after the holiday surge, he said.

When his new executive order takes effect, restaurants will be allowed to serve up to 50% capacity indoors. Other businesses that have been closed entirely will be allowed to open at 25% capacity, he said in a Tuesday news conference.

Restaurants will still be required to follow state safety guidelines, including mask orders, social distancing and 10 p.m. closures, he said.

If coronavirus metrics rise again, Pittman said he would have to reinstate the restrictions to avoid overwhelming the two county hospitals.

“There is a risk in doing this,” Pittman said. “Of course, if our numbers go up, we will have to go back; we will have to respond.”

He encouraged residents to continue carrying out from restaurants and following public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.