Updates on Reopenings Across the United States (May 19)

Zachary Stieber
By Zachary Stieber
May 19, 2020US News
share
Updates on Reopenings Across the United States (May 19)
People have a drink and socialize outside Cornet, a bar/restaurant on Bourbon Street, on the first day of New Orleans' reopening Phase 1, after two months of closures due to the CCP virus pandemic, in New Orleans, on May 16, 2020. (Claire Bangser/AFP via Getty Images)

Reopenings are taking place across the United States as most governors ease harsh restrictions put into place to try to slow the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The new virus, which originated in China, causes the potentially deadly disease COVID-19.

Here’s the situation with each state and the District of Columbia. This post will be updated. Last updated on May 19.

Alabama

Republican Gov. Kay Ivey warned residents on May 15 that “the threat of COVID-19 remains” even as the state continues reopening.

“Alabamians are hurting, and I am committed to helping these hundreds of thousands of people and every Alabama family restore their livelihoods. For that reason, we have been taking steps to safely reopen our state’s economy,” she said in a statement.

“I urge Alabamians to stay smart and vigilant as we continue practicing social distancing guidelines to combat this virus. Let us do our part and practice personal responsibility,” she added later.

Restaurants, bars, and breweries reopened May 11 with limited seating and other social distancing guidelines while gyms, personal care businesses, and athletic facilities could reopen.

A limit on social gatherings was removed, opening the door to large church services.

Reopening started in April.

Alaska 

The state is ready for phase three, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Monday.

Residents should be prepared for a “much larger opening” including most businesses, Dunleavy said at a press briefing.

“Pretty soon, I think you’re going to recognize the Alaska that we once had,” the governor said.

Dunleavy last week extended the mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving in Alaska to June 2.

He’s allowed retailers, personal care services, gyms, bars, libraries, and museums to reopen; gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed.

Arizona

Some casinos and other businesses began reopening May 15 as Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order expired. Malls reopened over the weekend.

Gyms and swimming pools were previously allowed to reopen while restaurants and retailers recently welcomed customers back inside for dine-in service and shopping.

Elective surgeries restarted on May 1.

The state Department of Education plans to issue guidance on reopening schools by the end of the month.

Arkansas

Bar inside restaurants can reopen May 19 while bars elsewhere can reopen the next Tuesday, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said.

Officials let restaurants resume dine-in service last week.

Large outdoor and indoor venues reopened Monday with capacity restrictions.

Gyms, fitness centers, and athletic facilities started reopening on May 4, while barbershops, salons, tattoo parlors, and spas welcomed customers two days later. State parks reopened on May 1.

California

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday the state was relaxing some of its reopening criteria, eliminating the requirements that a county have zero deaths and one case or less per 10,000 residents over two weeks.

“We are moving forward to allow some of the larger counties to continue to make progress deeper into Phase 2 and to do so—effective immediately, but on their own pace,” Newsom told reporters.

Counties that want to move to the second phase must submit a plan to state officials about how they’ve met the metrics the state has set and show an ability to conduct testing and contact tracing.

Newsom let so-called lower-risk businesses reopen on May 8, including non-essential manufacturing, childcare facilities, and retailers for curbside pickup.

Check here for live updates on developments in California.

NTD Photo
Visitors wear face masks on a walking path in Joshua Tree National Park one day after the park reopened after being closed for two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Joshua Tree National Park, Calif., on May 18, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Colorado

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said recently he wants to let restaurants resume dine-in service by the end of May but will wait to announce a date until more data comes in.

Polis eased his stay-at-home order last month, letting retailers reopen with curbside service and real estate showings resume.

Barbershops, salons, and retailers welcomed customers back on May 1, while office work restarted at 50 percent capacity a few days later.

Rocky Mountain National Park will reopen on May 27, officials announced on May 12, the same day as campgrounds at state parks reopened.

Connecticut

The first round of reopenings are planned for May 20, but will no longer include hair salons and barbershops, Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday.

“We’ve been hearing a lot of feedback, and at this time I think the best approach is that we hit pause on the reopening of hair salons and barbershops, take a step back, and allow some more time as preparations continue to be made,” Lamont said in a statement, adding he would coordinate the reopening with Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo.

Phase one of reopening still appears to include retailers, offices, and restaurants.

Gyms and some other businesses will also remain closed.

Beaches will reopen, meanwhile, for Memorial Day weekend in an agreement made with nearby states to try to avoid a flood of people traveling to one state.

“If New Jersey opens beaches or Connecticut opens beaches and we didn’t open beaches, you would see a flood of people to Connecticut and New Jersey,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters in announcing the plan.

Beaches in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Delaware will reopen May 22, Cuomo said.

Delaware

Houses of worship can hold in-person services at 30 percent occupancy, Democratic Gov. John Carney said Monday. But virtual services are strongly encouraged.

“Practicing your faith is a fundamental right. But Delawareans who are at higher risk should not attend in-person services,” Carney said in a statement.

Phase one of reopening won’t start until June 1, the governor said last week.

Some easing will take place or has taken place before then, including the reopening of beaches.

Farmer’s markets and ice cream shops were allowed to reopen May 15 while beaches and pools can reopen on May 22, state officials said.

But Carney told people who don’t live in the state not to travel to the beaches and strict social distancing requirements remain in effect, such as a mandate requiring people keep six feet of distance between themselves and individuals they don’t live with.

District of Columbia

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser recently extended the city’s stay-at-home order to June 8. It was previously slated to expire on May 15.

“Rushing to reopen can have tragic results,” Bowser said at a press conference.

Officials have said the first phase will only start after three metrics show a sustained decline: new daily CCP virus cases, reports of flu-like illnesses, and new cases inside nursing homes.

Six stores reopened Monday under a pilot program that allows some stores to open for curbside pickup only if officials approve their applications. They include three different locations of Politics and Prose, a small chain of book stores.

Florida

Restaurants are able to fill up to 50 percent capacity, as are retailers, as of Monday.

Gyms are reopening with 50 percent capacity. Libraries and museums are reopening. Theme parks can reopen, pending approval from the state, and vacation rentals may be able to resume in some counties.

Broward and Miami-Dade counties, which just entered phase one, will lag behind the rest of the state because of high numbers of virus cases.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis previously let personal care businesses reopen along with restaurants and retailers.

NTD Photo
Katie Toczak cuts the hair of Ben Marquette at the Las Olas Barbershop after it opened in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on May 18, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Georgia

Goodwill reopened dozens of stores in Georgia on Monday, nearly two months after they closed down.

Public swimming pools and summer camps were allowed to reopen on May 14.

Restaurants can welcome more customers, including parties of up to 10 people.

Bars, nightclubs, live performance venues, and amusement parks will remain closed until the end of the month under orders from Republican Gov. Brian Kemp.

A slew of businesses began reopening on April 24, including restaurants, movie theaters, and bowling alleys, in one of the first reopenings in the country.

Kemp allowed his order to expire on April 30 but extended a state of emergency until June, with some restrictions remaining in place.

Hawaii

Businesses deemed medium-risk such as salons can reopen by June 1, Democratic Gov. David Ige said Monday.

Dine-in service at restaurants can resume by then, he added.

Hawaii is in phase one of Ige’s four-phase reopening plan. Retailers, shopping malls, childcare companies, and some other businesses have been allowed to reopen.

So-called high-risk businesses such as bars and clubs will remain closed until phase three.

Idaho

Indoor dining at restaurants was allowed to resume on May 16 as salons, gyms, and recreation facilities reopened.

The new reopenings were deemed phase two of Republican Gov. Brad Little’s plan.

Ninety percent of businesses in the state were allowed to reopen in phase one, which started May 1, according to Little’s office.

The governor said bars can reopen on May 30, the scheduled date for phase three.

Illinois

All four regions outlined in Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan are supposed to move to phase three by May 29, the governor has said.

Illinois entered phase two on May 1. Some so-called non-essential businesses take customers’ orders and deliver them or have curbside pickup.

Pritzker’s stay-at-home order is in place through the end of May and some businesses such as restaurants are under harsh restrictions until at least late June.

Businesses defying the restrictions can be charged with a class A misdemeanor.

Indiana

Personal care businesses such as spas and barbershops reopened on May 11 by appointment only. Restaurants and bars could welcome customers back inside but only at 50 percent capacity.

The reopenings are part of phase two of Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s plan.

Phase two started earlier this month with the reopening of retailers and commercial businesses, including any manufacturing companies deemed non-essential. Phase three is slated for May 24.

Casinos likely won’t reopen until June 14, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission. That’s when phase four of the plan is scheduled.

Holcomb allowed his stay-at-home order to expire on May 1.

NTD Photo
A view from the 360 Chicago observation deck shows a nearly-empty Lake Shore Drive and a deserted lakefront in Chicago, Ill., on May 12, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Iowa

Restaurants across the state were allowed to resume dine-in service on May 15, while personal care businesses like salons could welcome customers inside, under further relaxations from Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Dentist offices, campgrounds, drive-in movie theaters, tanning facilities, and spas reopened on May 8, while restaurants, fitness centers, and retailers in most counties reopened at 50 percent capacity on May 1.

But some counties, due to high case counts, have kept strict restrictions in place until now.

Reynolds told reporters that Iowa has “seen significant progress” in the battle against the CCP virus.

A slew of other businesses, including bars, movie theaters, and bowling alleys, remain closed until May 27 or later.

Kansas

Barbershops, salons, and other personal care businesses could reopen May 18, but must only serve customers by appointment. Gyms were able to reopen while in-person graduation ceremonies can take place if 10 or fewer people are in one room.

The reopenings were part of what Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly described as phase 1.5.

She said recently she was slowing down her reopening plan. She ordered bars and bowling alleys to remain closed through the end of the month.

“Unfortunately, the daily rate of disease spread has not shown the downward trajectory necessary to move fully into Phase 2,” she told reporters.

Kelly said she plans on keeping some restrictions in place until near the end of June.

Phase one started on May 4. Kelly allowed restaurants to welcome customers inside and some businesses to reopen.

Kentucky

Government offices and agencies were able to resume in-office work on May 18 while retailers can welcome customers back inside on May 20.

Restaurants are slated to be able to resume dine-in service two days later. Personal care businesses including salons can reopen on May 25.

Reopenings slated for June include movie theaters, gyms, and childcare businesses.

Some businesses, including offices and construction companies, reopened on May 11.

State parks will reopen on June 1 along with recreational parks, lodges, and cabins, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said last week.

Louisiana

Phase two of reopening will likely take place in early June, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards said Monday.

“Well I’m optimistic, but I know we have to look at the data,” the governor told reporters.

Churches, gyms, and movie theaters were able to resume operations as of May 15 at 25 percent capacity, the same limit placed on restaurants as they resumed dine-in service.

Barbershops, salons, casinos, museums, and zoos can also reopen under relaxed restrictions from Edwards, who let his stay-at-home order expire recently.

Stores were allowed to open for curbside delivery and restaurants were allowed to open outside areas for patrons to eat meals without tableside service on May 1.

Maine

Restaurants in the same counties in 12 counties with no community transmission of the CCP virus were able to resume table service on May 18, a week after retailers could welcome customers inside in those same counties.

Businesses began reopening statewide on May 1, including barbershops, hair salons, golf courses, state parks, auto dealerships, and car washes. Phase two of reopening for most of the state isn’t scheduled until June 1.

Hotels and other places of stay can accept reservations for June 1 or later, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said last week.

A previous order prohibited reservations unless essential workers were making them.

NTD Photo
People wait in line to have their hair cut in front of the shop of Barber Karl Manke, who faces two misdemeanor charges for reopening his business despite state shutdown orders, in Owosso, Mich., on May 12, 2020. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Maryland

Manufacturing companies deemed non-essential were able to reopen Friday, along with retailers, salons, and churches.

Dine-in service in restaurants, gyms, and theaters will remain closed for now.

Some counties are not starting to reopen, including Howard and Montgomery counties.

The reopening was enabled by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan shifting a stay-at-home order to a safer-at-home order.

“The fight against this deadly disease is far from over. But because of incredible courage you have shown and the extraordinary sacrifices you have made, Maryland, and our nation, can now at least begin to slowly recover,” Hogan said at a press conference.

Massachusetts

Houses of worship can welcome people back inside but are being encouraged to hold outdoor services, according to guidelines released May 18 by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration.

Phase one of reopening started Monday with the reopening of construction businesses and manufacturing companies.

Lab space, office space outside Boston, and limited personal services including hair salons and car washes can reopen on May 25.

Retailers can also reopen for curbside pickup.

Michigan

Bars, retailers, and restaurants in some parts of the state can welcome customers back inside Friday, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said May 18.

“This is a big step, but we must all remember to continue doing our part to protect ourselves and our families from the spread of COVID-19,” she said in a statement.

General Motors and other car manufacturers were able to resume production on May 18, a week after auto supply companies and some other manufacturers reopened.

Michigan is in phase three of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s six-phase reopening plan. Whitmer’s stay-at-home order was recently extended through May 28.

Minnesota

Retailers, malls, and other related businesses began reopening May 18 under social distancing restrictions.

People can gather in groups of up to 10.

“We know the safest place we can be is at home, but we can’t continue like this forever,” Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said at a press conference. He previously let some businesses, primarily in industrial sectors, reopen.

Primary schools can reopen in late June, according to new guidelines from the state.

Restaurants and bars are closed to dine-in service until June 1. Personal care businesses like salons are also not allowed to reopen until then.

Mississippi

Casinos can start reopening May 21, over two months after they were closed, the state Gaming Commission said.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has allowed a number of businesses, including gyms, salons, and barbershops, to reopen.

Restaurants were able to resume tableside service while retailers were allowed to welcome people inside.

NTD Photo
Jaeden Milam carries a sheet of acrylic to a computer-controlled cutting machine as he makes safety shield dividers at Screaming Images amid the spread of the coronavirus in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 18, 2020. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Missouri

Campgrounds reopened May 18 with social distancing limitations including occupancy restrictions in restrooms and shower houses.

“We are happy to be able to reopen our campgrounds and provide another outdoor recreational opportunity for our visitors, but, as you might expect, our guests will see some changes,” Carol Comer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, said in a statement.

One of the widest reopenings in the country took place in the state in early May. Every business was allowed to reopen as long as people abided by social distancing requirements, Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, said at a press conference.

The main requirement is keeping 6 feet distance between an individual and people they don’t live with.

Montana

Students were allowed to return to schools on May 7, pending decisions by local school boards, in one of the earliest reopenings of schools in the nation.

Gyms, movie theaters, and museums were able to reopen on May 15.

Restaurants and bars welcomed customers back inside on May 4.

Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock let retailers and houses of worship reopen last month.

Nebraska

More restrictions could be loosened, Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts said Monday, depending on the data state officials see.

Ricketts has let some businesses reopen, including hair salons and tattoo parlors.

Tableside service in some areas of the state resumed May 4.

Bars cannot resume operations until June or later and most youth activities aren’t allowed.

Nevada

Phase one of reopening won’t end until June 1 or later, Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak said over the weekend.

“It’s gonna take a minimum of two weeks of analyzing” data about the pandemic, Sisolak told reporters.

Sisolak let restaurants, barbershops, hair salons, retailers, and car dealerships reopen with limitations on May 9.

Restaurants inside casinos can reopen under the revised order, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said, if social distancing restrictions are followed.

The properties must confirm whether a separate entrance for the restaurant exists. If not, managers have to detail how customers can enter the restaurant without going onto the gaming floor.

New Hampshire

Restaurants were able to serve customers at outside tables starting May 18, a week after retailers, hair salons, golf courses, and barbershops reopened.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend” that he’s “very confident” restaurants can expand service safely.

“We have a task force that’s continually looking at new opportunities to open up the economy so in every step that we take, we have new guidance documents [which are] reviewed by myself and the folks at the department of public health,” Sununu said.

Campgrounds, manufacturing businesses, and state parks reopened on May 1 while hospitals could resume elective procedures on May 4 as Sununu’s stay-at-home order expired.

NTD Photo
People enjoy a warm day during the CCP virus outbreak at Domino Park in Brooklyn, New York City, on May 16, 2020. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

New Jersey

The next phase of reopening includes outdoor dining areas at restaurants, some personal care businesses, and museums and libraries.

But the start date for phase two hasn’t been set.

Phase one started Monday with the reopening of construction companies and some retailers, which will be forced to operate through a curbside pickup business model.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order also permitted drive-through and drive-in events if attendees follow strict social distancing guidelines.

Murphy had relaxed few restrictions apart from letting state and county parks reopen since announcing a stay-at-home order in March.

New Mexico

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham extended the state’s emergency public health order to May 31.

The modified order let retailers welcome customers back inside on May 16 and so-called non-essential businesses, such as those requiring offices, can also resume operations.

Gyms, salons, theaters, and other businesses remain closed until at least early June.

Grisham also announced that residents will be required to wear face coverings in public.

Businesses allowed to reopen earlier in May included gun stores, pet service businesses, and golf courses.

New York

The Western New York region can start reopening on May 19, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters.

Five regions began reopening recently under Cuomo’s regional reopening plan.

Cuomo is keeping strict restrictions in place for New York City and most parts of the state but allowed Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, and Southern Tier to begin reopening.

Capital Region is close to reopening, Cuomo said Sunday.

Phase one of reopening allows retailers to serve customers with curbside pickup and manufacturing and construction businesses to reopen. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing companies can reopen, along with wholesale trade operations.

The governor’s state of emergency order runs until June 13.

North Carolina

Churches are allowed to reopen after a federal judge blocked restrictions from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper affecting indoor services at houses of worship.

Cooper’s most recent order limited indoor services to 10 or fewer people and said services should take place outside “unless impossible.”

“The record, at this admittedly early stage of the case, reveals that the Governor appears to trust citizens to perform non-religious activities indoors (such as shopping or working or selling merchandise) but does not trust them to do the same when they worship indoors together,” Judge James Dever III said in his ruling.

Cooper said recently that phase two of reopening will likely not start until May 26. Phase one started in early May.

Retail stores deemed non-essential, such as clothing and sporting goods stores, were allowed to welcome customers inside in phase one and childcare reopened for children of parents who are working or looking for work.

Phase two would see a limited reopening of restaurants and bars to inside service and the reopening of public playgrounds.

North Dakota

Large gatherings are allowed, including concerts and sporting events, state officials said last week. They released recommendations for how such gatherings should be handled.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum told reporters that “market forces” will guide owners of the venues in following the protocols to make sure people feel “safe and comfortable.”

Schools can reopen for summer programs starting June 1.

Restaurants, gyms, and personal care businesses were allowed to reopen in early May with capacity limits and social distancing measures.

Guidelines for recreation centers, athletic centers, music venues, and theaters were expected soon.

Ohio

Dine-in service at restaurants and bars can resume Thursday, nearly a week after outdoor service was allowed to resume.

A slew of businesses have resumed operations in recent weeks, including personal care services, manufacturing companies, and construction crews.

Businesses not following guidelines from the government are being “irresponsible,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s office said Saturday.

“Those who operate their businesses while disregarding safety guidelines, designed to protect the health of their customers and all Ohioans, are being irresponsible and need to understand that these guidelines will be enforced,” the statement said.

DeWine’s extended stay-at-home order runs through May 29.

NTD Photo
An empty restaurant is seen at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, N.C., on May 15, 2020. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Oklahoma

Gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed as of Friday while sporting events, weddings, and funerals can resume.

Nonessential travel can resume and bars can welcome a limited number of customers.

Phase one of Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s reopening plan started last month with the reopening of barbershops and other personal care businesses.

Restaurants, malls, and other stores began reopening on May 1.

Oregon

A judge on Monday said Democratic Gov. Kate Brown’s stay-at-home order was “null and void” because she didn’t seek approval by lawmakers to extend the order beyond a 28-day limit.

But the Oregon Supreme Court halted the ruling, reinstating Brown’s restrictions.

“There are no shortcuts for us to return to life as it was before this pandemic. Moving too quickly could return Oregon to the early days of this crisis, when we braced ourselves for hospitals to be overfilled,” the governor said in a statement.

Retailers, meanwhile, can reopen if they’re not inside malls as of Friday. Customers must wear face masks. Childcare businesses and summer camps also reopened statewide.

In many counties, further reopenings are taking place, including dine-in services at restaurants and bars.

Pennsylvania

Thirty-seven counties have moved out of the red phase detailed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. The governor said Friday that 12 more counties can move to the yellow phase on May 22.

Wolf has battled with some local leaders who want to move through his colored-reopening plan faster, threatening to cut funding if the counties move forward without his approval.

Wolf’s plan designates counties as red, yellow, or green. Red means counties still have a high number of new daily CCP virus cases and other metrics showing little improvement during the pandemic.

The governor extended his stay-at-home order for those counties until June 4.

Rhode Island

Phase one of reopening will last one month, Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo, double the time she said earlier this month.

Raimondo joined a regional pact and will reopen some beaches by Memorial Day.

She has eased some restrictions, allowing restaurants to commence outdoor dining, Offices and so-called nonessential retail stores were allowed to reopen.

Churches and other houses of worship can hold services with five or fewer people and funerals that involve up to 10 people can be held.

NTD Photo
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light #YOURFACEHERE Ford, races during the NASCAR Cup Series The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., on May 17, 2020. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

South Carolina

So-called close-contact businesses including barbershops, hair salons, gyms, pools, and others are reopening with limitations on May 18, a week after restaurants across the state were allowed to offer dine-in service.

“Be safe, but go,” Republican Gov. Henry McMaster said at a press conference Friday as he urged people to patronize local businesses. “Our economy is not made to be shut down.”

McMaster allowed some businesses to reopen last month in one of the earliest reopenings in the nation.

Beaches in the state are open again.

South Dakota

Bars and restaurants began welcoming customers inside in Sioux Falls over the weekend, weeks after reopenings in the rest of the state.

Any business that wanted to could reopen, Republican Gov. Kristi Noem announced in late April.

Officials issued guidance on occupancy limits and employee screenings.

Schools were allowed to host small groups of students to “check in” with them before the end of the school year.

“The plan I am unveiling today continues to put the power of decision-making into the hands of the people—where it belongs. Today’s plan relies on South Dakotans continuing to exercise common sense, reasonableness, innovation, and a commitment to themselves, their families, and—in turn—their communities,” Noem said in a statement.

Tennessee

Capacity restrictions on restaurants and retailers will be lifted May 22, Republican Gov. Bill Lee said last week.

Large attractions can also reopen.

Some counties are following their own reopening plans.

A number of businesses have been allowed to reopen, including personal care businesses.

Texas

Childcare centers and gyms reopened on Monday as rodeos, bowling alleys, bars, and aquariums can resume operations on Friday.

Zoos, youth camps, youth sports, and some professional sports without spectators can reopen or resume by the end of the month, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced at a press conference.

Restaurants can expand occupancy this week for indoor dining.

A slew of businesses, including salons, barbershops, and malls, reopened earlier this month.

Utah

Most of the state entered phase two on May 16.

Gatherings of up to 50 people were allowed while organized sports were able to resume.

All businesses can reopen if owners follow social distancing restrictions.

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert on May 1 let a slew of businesses reopen, including gyms, salons, and dine-in service at restaurants.

NTD Photo
Two diners sit outside the Thai Sapa restaurant in Springdale, Utah on May 14, 2020. (George Frey/Getty Images)

Vermont

A gradual reopening of retailers started May 18 with social distancing restrictions, including capacity limits.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott said last week he will let restaurants resume dine-in service before June 1. Personal care businesses like barbershops will be able to reopen before then.

Golf courses, tennis courts, and other outside recreation facilities previously reopened while gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed.

Virginia

Virginia Beach is reopening Friday in time for Memorial Day, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam said Monday.

Unlike some other beaches that have reopened in other states, sunbathing and swimming will be allowed.

Authorities will enforce social distancing requirements.

A phased reopening started last week for some counties, with retailers reopening and restaurants resuming outdoor dining. Gyms and personal care businesses could resume operations and churches were able to welcome congregants.

Phase one will last up to four weeks or even longer, according to state officials. Phases two and three are projected to last about three weeks each.

Washington

Doctors and dentists can reopen, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee said Monday.

Inslee recently rescinded a requirement for restaurants to note the names and phone numbers of customers for contact tracing purposes. It was part of a plan for reopening tableside service, which hasn’t started yet.

Phase one started earlier this month as retailers opened with curbside pickup and car dealerships, car washes, and mobile pet services resumed operations.

Phase two includes the reopening of all manufacturing businesses that were forced to close. Construction companies, domestic services, retailers, personal care services, and real estate companies can also resume operations. Restaurants can welcome customers back inside with capacity limits.

West Virginia

The fourth phase of reopening will start May 21, Republican Gov. Jim Justice said Monday.

Indoor malls, indoor dining, shopping inside retailers, and tanning salons will reopen.

Whitewater rafting and ziplining can resume. State park campgrounds will be open to state residents. Motorsport and powersport racing can resume with no spectators.

Reopenings slated for May 26 include state park cabins and lodges to state residents, bars, museums, and zoos.

Gyms and health clubs reopened earlier Monday. A slew of businesses previously resumed operations, including wellness centers, drive-in movie theaters and all small businesses with fewer than 10.

Wisconsin

Numerous businesses reopened last week after the state Supreme Court on May 13 blocked the extended stay-at-home order.

State Health Secretary Andrea Palm had extended the order on April 16 to May 26.

“This case is about the assertion of power by one unelected official, Andrea Palm, and her order to all people within Wisconsin to remain in their homes, not to travel and to close all businesses that she declares are not ‘essential’ in Emergency Order 28,” justices wrote.

“Palm’s order confining all people to their homes, forbidding travel, and closing businesses exceeded the statutory authority of Wis. Stat. § 252.02 upon which Palm claims to rely.”

People who violated the order cannot be criminally penalized, according to the majority decision.

Unlike most states, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has delegated to Palm to issue stay-at-home orders. The order in question is described as safer-at-home, or a looser version of a stay-at-home mandate.

Local governments can still issue their own restrictions.

Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park will reopen on a limited basis on May 18 while Grand Teton National Park reopened last week.

Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has let gyms, barbershops, salons, and tattoo parlors reopen, but hasn’t yet issued a date for when restaurants and bars can resume dine-in service.

Daycares have welcomed children back while hospitals resumed elective surgeries.

An order limiting public gatherings to no more than nine people was extended through mid-May while state campgrounds won’t be open until May 15.

Correction: A previous version of this article listed the wrong location for the Kansas City Zoo. The Epoch Times regrets the error.

From The Epoch Times

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments