After weeks of sheltering in place to slow down the spread of COVID-19, several states have announced their plans to reopen and have started to ease restrictions and restart economic and public activities. Find out which states have reopened, which businesses have been allowed to resume operations, and what restrictions remain in place at this time.
As of this writing, all 50 states have either fully or partially opened their economy and allowed businesses to resume operations. Some may still have stay-at-home orders in place but have already begun easing restrictions for select industries.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 30, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Senior citizen centers, hospitals, and nursing homes continue to enforce restrictions on activities and visitation.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 24, 2020
What to expect:
All businesses, recreational activities, places of worship, and sports activities may reopen at full capacity—but wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing will still be strongly encouraged. Also, communities may opt to enforce stricter rules or restrictions if needed.
What’s not allowed:
Large public gatherings may not be scheduled without approval from the public health department. Visitation at the Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Justice, Alaska Military Youth Academy, and Alaska Psychiatric Institute facilities remain suspended.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 15, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Social settings or situations where proper social distancing cannot be followed.
Restrictions in place, but no stay-at-home order was enforced
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Salons, barbershops, cosmetology clinics, and tattoo shops may not accept walk-in clients. These businesses may operate by appointment only.
Stay-at-home order not yet lifted; reopen dates vary from county to county
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Bars, gyms, movie theaters, state park campgrounds, boardwalks, and other indoor facilities/venues remain closed. Restrictions will vary. To find out what’s open (and what’s closed) in your county, click here.
All nonessential activities and gatherings are still discouraged (and in some cases, prohibited).
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 26, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Bars to remain closed. Access to local playgrounds and team sports are still prohibited.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 20, 2020
What to expect:
Restaurants (outdoor dining only), office-based businesses, retail shops, outdoor recreation facilities (museums & zoos), university research facilities, and businesses offering personal services may resume operations at limited capacity and according to public health guidelines.
What’s not allowed:
Businesses may not operate unless they have completed the required online self-certification prior to reopening.
Stay-at-home order to be lifted: June 1, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Water parks and indoor play areas for children will remain closed. Close contact services such as tattoo shops, nail spas, and waxing salons are not permitted to operate. Fans are not allowed to attend events at the racetrack.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 4, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Indoor movie theaters to remain closed. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs that derive 50% of their profits from alcohol sales are advised to shut down.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 30, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Live performance venues and amusement parks to remain closed until further notice.
Stay-at-home order expiring on May 31, Phase 1 of reopening started May 7, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Large venues and bars to remain closed. Gatherings of over 10 people are prohibited.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 30, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Visits to correctional and senior living facilities remain suspended. Nightclubs to remain closed.
Stay-at-home order still in place, reopening plan enforced May 1, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Gatherings of more than 10 people are not allowed. Stricter restrictions remain in place in Chicago as there is still no date as to when the city will move to Phase 3 of the reopening plan.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 4, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Playgrounds, overnight youth camps, bars and nightclubs, entertainment venues, amusement parks, school facilities, and movie theaters to remain closed.
Restrictions in place, no stay-at-home order was enforced.
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Indoor live performance venues and theaters to remain closed, as well as play areas and common seating areas at shopping malls. Food court restaurants may only accept orders for take-out.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 3, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Bars, nightclubs, and pools (indoor and outdoor) shall remain closed to the public.
Stay-at-home order in place indefinitely, reopening plan enforced May 11, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Bars to remain closed. Youth sports activities are prohibited until further notice.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 15, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Spas, massage establishments, tattoo shops, amusement parks, playgrounds, and adult entertainment venues to remain closed.
Stay-at-home order ending May 31, reopening plan enforced on May 11, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Dine-in services at restaurants in York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin counties to remain suspended.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 15, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Dine-in services at bars and restaurants will remain prohibited. Fitness centers, tattoo shops, tanning salons, massage parlors, theaters, malls, and indoor recreational establishments to stay closed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 18, 2020
What to expect:
Construction, manufacturing, office spaces, laboratories, personal care services (hair salons and barbershops), pet grooming, and car wash businesses allowed to reopen according to state guidelines.
What’s not allowed:
Theaters, arenas, large performance venues, and indoor recreation facilities remain closed.
Stay-at-home order extended through June 12, reopening plan enforced May 7, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Any social gatherings in counties under Phase 3 of reopening are not allowed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 17, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Gyms and fitness centers remain closed. Operations at indoor and outdoor recreation facilities such as racetracks, zoos, bowling alleys, and event venues remain suspended.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 27, 2020
What to expect:
All businesses may reopen starting June 1. Retail businesses must limit the number of customers in stores to 50% of the legal capacity.
What’s not allowed:
If social distancing is not possible, gatherings exceeding 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors shall be prohibited. If it is possible to maintain a distance of 6 feet between individuals, indoor gatherings shall be limited to 50 people and outdoor events to no more than 100 people.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 3, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Visitation at senior living and long-term care facilities remain suspended unless for end-of-life circumstances.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 26, 2020
What to expect:
Retail stores, dine-in services, bars, gyms, bowling alleys, breweries, places of worship, and personal care businesses may reopen at 75% capacity.
What’s not allowed:
Visitation at nursing homes will continue to be suspended. Gatherings of over 50 people are prohibited if social distancing cannot be maintained.
Restrictions in place, no stay-at-home order enforced
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Dining parties of more than six people will not be allowed. Buffet-style services and bars to remain closed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 9, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Clubs, adult entertainment establishments, and live sporting venues with spectators will remain closed. Gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited.
Stay-at-home order ending May 31, reopening plan enforced May 11.
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Bar seating and indoor dining services are not allowed at restaurants. Services must be limited to outdoor dining, delivery, or curbside pick-up.
Stay-at-home order still in place, reopening plan enforced May 2, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Indoor dining at restaurants to remain prohibited. Outdoor gatherings of over 25 people are not allowed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 15, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Close contact businesses such as barbershops, nail salons, adult entertainment venues, tattoo shops, massage parlors, gyms, and guided tours to remain closed. Recreational facilities such as movie theaters and pools may not operate as well.
Stay-at-home order still in place, reopening plan enforced May 20, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Professional services, in-store retail sales, administrative support, and real estate businesses will remain closed. Restaurants and bars may not operate as well.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 22, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Public playgrounds, bars, nightclubs, bingo halls, indoor gyms, and fitness facilities to remain closed.
Restrictions in place, no stay-at-home order was enforced.
What to expect:
Retail stores, dine-in services, bars, gyms, fitness centers, and personal care businesses offering hair, nail, body art, and massage services may operate at limited capacity.
What’s not allowed:
Playing at blackjack tables, the use of hand-held entertainment at restaurants, or reservation notification devices are prohibited. Dance floors must also remain closed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 29, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Full contact sports will remain prohibited. Spectators are not allowed at horse races.
Restrictions in place, no stay-at-home order was enforced.
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Visits to senior living facilities will remain prohibited.
Stay-at-home order in place indefinitely, reopening plan enforced May 15, 2020
What to expect:
Retail stores, restaurants, personal care businesses, outdoor recreation spaces, childcare facilities, and camps may reopen with restrictions.
What’s not allowed:
Local gatherings and traveling in groups of more than 25 individuals is prohibited.
Stay-at-home order still in effect, reopening plan enforced May 8.
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Personal care businesses and indoor wellness facilities will remain closed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 8, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Summer camps and youth sports activities may not resume until the end of June.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 4, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Self-service buffets and beverage refills are not allowed at food establishments. In-room dining and housekeeping services at hotels must remain suspended.
No stay-at-home order enforced
Businesses, places of worship, and childcare facilities were not required to close down and thus continue to operate. The decision to shut down was left to the employers and institutions. However, the state government recommends citizens to follow CDC guidelines regarding public gatherings and activities.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 30, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Bars to remain closed unless for seated in-restaurant dining.
Stay-at-home order lifted: April 30, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Patrons at gyms may not use the facilities without wearing gloves that fully cover the hands up to the wrists. Arcade games and similar equipment at bars may not be used by diners.
Restrictions in place, no stay-at-home order was enforced.
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Visits to nursing homes and residential care facilities are not allowed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 15, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Indoor dining at restaurants and bars are not allowed. Only outdoor seating may be offered to diners and reservations are encouraged.
Stay-at-home order still in effect, reopening plan enforced on May 15.
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Indoor dining at restaurants is prohibited. Food establishments may offer delivery, curbside pick-up, or outdoor dining only.
Stay-at-home order expiring May 31, reopening plan takes effect June 1, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Gatherings of more than five people from different households are prohibited. Bar seating at restaurants to remain closed.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 3, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Gatherings at movie theaters, sporting events, and concerts will continue to be suspended in the foreseeable future.
Stay-at-home order lifted: May 13, 2020
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Restrictions differ at the county level. For example, some counties allow restaurants to offer in-room dining services, while others only allow curbside pick-up or delivery services.
Restrictions in place, no stay-at-home order was enforced.
What to expect:
What’s not allowed:
Indoor gatherings must not exceed 25 people.
In mid-April, the White House launched a data-based plan for lifting restrictions and restarting the country’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Opening America recommends state governments take a three-phase approach to gradually reopen their states based on advice from public health experts.
Phase 1 will relax restrictions in states that have seen a downward trend in reported cases of COVID-like symptoms and confirmed infections within a 14-day period. During this phase, nonessential travel will continue to be limited. If these numbers drop for another two-week period, states may kick-off Phase 2 of the plan wherein nonessential travel will be allowed to resume.
Passing the criteria a third time will trigger Phase 3, which lifts all restrictions on business and travel, with the exception of a few safety measures that will remain in place for the elderly and other high-risk individuals.
Despite failing to meet some of the criteria set by the federal government, all 50 states have started reopening their economies. As more governors announce the resumption of work and grant their constituents access to public spaces, we can expect domestic travel to pick up as well.
The recent guidance released by the National Governors Association recommends that state governments address the issue of interstate travel by forming partnerships within their regions. This is a rational approach that will allow officials to determine if travel restrictions are necessary to mitigate the spread of the virus.
According to experts, it will take at least three weeks before they can gauge whether the reopening of states has had a positive or negative outcome. Creating a unified strategy for domestic travel is expected to help avoid a resurgence in cases, especially in bordering states which continue to have high infection rates.
Several states with low infection rates such as Montana have lifted the mandatory 14-day quarantine period for out-of-state travelers. However, public health officials encourage citizens to continue avoiding nonessential travel if possible.
Schools and universities were some of the first institutions to close in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. A total of 48 states have recommended ending the school year early to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and support staff. This was also done in part to ease the burden on educators to modify their curriculum and facilitate remote learning.
Most American parents rely on schools as centers of learning and community, allowing those who cannot afford childcare to resume work outside the home. As businesses across the country resume operations, a lot of these parents may be wondering when public schools can safely reopen.
Montana is the first state to reopen schools, announcing on May 7 that educators may resume face-to-face classes on campus. Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma have also scheduled summer school programs to resume by June 1.
However, individual school districts have the prerogative to decide when to resume in-person classes. Some of the precautions that these institutions have put in place include minimizing the number of students gathered at a time by focusing on outdoor activities, offering limited tutoring sessions by appointment, and ramping up sanitation measures.
As of now, state governments have the final say regarding when in-person learning can resume. Remote and online learning is likely to continue in the next school year as announced by officials in Washington state and Chicago. In New York, the government is considering ways to innovate learning and utilize technology in reshaping the education system to cope with the public health crisis.
More than asking when schools can resume classes, it is more important to ensure that public school systems are ready and well-equipped to face the logistical challenges that come with reopening during a pandemic. Both the American Federation of Teachers and The American Enterprise Institute have released documents outlining recommendations that can serve as a road map for the responsible reopening of schools.
Some of their suggestions include:
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