With Trump issuing phase-wise guidelines to reopen the US, here's where each state stands amid lockdown
President Donald Trump issued new phase-wise guidelines for reopening the US amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan will put the onus on governors to decide how to restart the economies in their states.
As of April 17, there are over 671,340 cases in the US and more than 33,280 have died, according to the Johns Hopkins tracker. So where do the states stand currently on reopening?
California, Washington and Oregon
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order on March 19 that has no set end date. The healthcare delivery system will prioritize services to serve those who are most sick and prioritize resources, including personal protective equipment for providers providing direct care to them, says the order.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" emergency order on April 2. The order, which banned all gatherings and temporarily shuttered non-essential businesses, will continue through May 4.
Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued an executive order directing people to stay at home on March 23 that remains in effect until the Governor ends it.
Subsequently, On April 13, the governors of California, Oregon and Washington announced an agreement on a "shared vision" for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 in the future, one that identifies clear indicators for communities to restart public life and business.
"While each state is building a state-specific plan, our states have agreed to the following principles as we build out a West Coast framework: our residents' health comes first, health outcomes and science – not politics – will guide these decisions, and our states will only be effective by working together," says a statement.
The goals of the framework include the development of a system for testing, tracking and isolating, a concerted effort to prevent and fight outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and adequate hospital surge capacity and supplies of personal protective equipment.
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island
New York has joined a coalition with the Northeastern states of New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Rhode Island along with Massachusetts to coordinate the reopening of the economy.
The coordinating group — consisting of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state — will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states' stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus.
"The council will create this framework using every tool available to accomplish the goal of easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread, including testing, contact tracing, treatment and social distancing."
"They will rely on the best available scientific, statistical, social and economic information to manage and evaluate those tools," reads a statement.
Currently, schools and nonessential businesses will stay closed through May 15 in New York. Governor Cuomo issued an executive order requiring all people in New York to wear masks or face coverings in public, including when taking public or private transportation or riding in for-hire vehicles.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont extended all previously enacted closures, distancing, and safety measures – including for schools, restaurants, bars, retail stores, gyms and other establishments till May 20.
Delaware Gov. John Carney issued a statewide stay-at-home order that will remain until May 15 or until the "public health threat is eliminated".
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order asking all nonessential businesses to close facilities until May 4.
An emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide "COVID-19 Essential Services" close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public has been extended until May 4.
New Jersey Governor Murphy's stay-at-home order and closure of all non-essential retail businesses were issued on March 21 and have no specific end date.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued stay-at-home orders across the state until April 30. Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has extended stay-at-home order to last until May 8.
Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has issued a stay-at-home order to be applied statewide, which will expire on April 30. Arizona, Hawaii, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas also have stay-at-home orders till April 30.
Georgia’s statewide shelter in place will stay in effect till April 30. In Idaho, the stay-at-home became effective on March 25 and will continue to be in effect until April 30, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing.
Alaska
Residents have been asked to stay at home unless absolutely necessary, starting March 28. The social distancing mandate will remain in effect until the Governor of Alaska rescinds or modifies the order.
Colorado
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has extended the stay-at-home order, which now remains in effect until April 26.
District of Columbia
It has extended the public emergency and public health emergency in the District of Columbia, which includes stay-at-home orders through May 15.
Iowa
There is a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency in Iowa. "The proclamation orders the closure of schools, waiving time requirements as long as school districts put in place a continuous learning plan until April 30."
"It also extends closures and limits placed on bars and restaurants previously identified retail stores, prohibits social gatherings of more than ten people, and continues to ban nonessential and elective surgeries until April 30," says a statement.
Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois
Governor Eric J Holcomb extended the order on April 6 requiring people to remain in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies and for health and safety.
Below are frequently asked questions about the order and their answers. The new order allows retail, campgrounds and other establishments to make adjustments. It ends on April 20 but could be extended if the outbreak warrants it.
Kentucky’s stay-at-home order does not have a specific end-date. Ohio’s stay-at-home order will remain in place until May 1. The governors of the three states (Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky) had earlier said they were in close contact on reopening their states following stay-at-home orders.
On April 16, governors of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky announced that they will work in "close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest region" in a way that prioritizes workers' health.
"We will closely examine at least these four factors when determining when best to reopen our economy: sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations, enhanced ability to test and trace, sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence, and best practices for social distancing in the workplace," said a statement.
On March 20, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order requiring all Illinoisans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. On April 1st, the order was extended through April 30.
Similarly, Michigan has extended the state's stay-at-home order through April 30. Minnesota’s stay-at-home order is applicable till May 3. Wisconsin’s stay at home or place of residence, prohibiting nonessential travel, will remain until April 24.
Kansas
The statewide stay-home order will be in place at least until April 19.
Maine
Originally scheduled to expire on April 15, Governor Janet Mills extended Maine's state of civil emergency for another thirty days through May 15.
Maryland
The state's stay-at-home order says no resident should leave their home unless it is for an essential job or for an essential reason, such as obtaining food or medicine, seeking urgent medical attention or for other necessary purposes. There is no specific end-date.
Mississippi
Shelter-in-place order expires on April 20. Schools will remain closed for the rest of the semester.
Missouri, Montana
The stay-at-home orders for both states are effective until April 24.
Nebraska
The state has issued a “21 Days to Keep Nebraska Healthy” on April 10. It asks people to stay home, no non-essential errands, no social gatherings, respecting the 10-person limit, shopping alone and only once a week, and exercising daily.
New Hampshire
The state issued a stay-at-home order until May 4.
North Carolina
The state’s stay-at-home order is effective until April 29.
North Dakota
Governor Doug Burgum declared a state of emergency on March 13 and activated the state’s Unified Command to coordinate a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to the COVID-19 response. The state does not have specific stay-at-home orders.
Oklahoma
The state closed all businesses not identified as being within a critical infrastructure sector, such as gyms, salons, massage parlors and movie theaters, where counties have community spread through April 30.
It has also issued a "safer at home" order for adults over the age of 65 and vulnerable individuals with serious underlying medical conditions until April 30.
South Carolina
The "State of Emergency" executive order has been extended through at least April 27.
South Dakota
The state does not have a stay-at-home order.
Utah
The state's directive on :Stay Safe, Stay Home" is effective until May 1.
Vermont
Governor Phil Scott's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order has been extended until May 15.
Virginia, West Virginia
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a stay-at-home order that is effective until June 10. West Virginia's stay at home, asking people to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs, has no specific end date.
Wyoming
Governor Mark Gordon and State Health Officer Dr Alexia Harrist have extended statewide health orders through April 30 to slow community transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect lives.
"The Governor continues to emphatically state that people need to stay home whenever possible to prevent or slow the spread of the virus. Specifically, the current orders closing public places including schools, prohibiting gatherings of 10 people or more in a single room or confined space (including outdoors) and closing bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and some personal services businesses will continue through April 30."
"Food establishments can continue to provide delivery services, but carry-out service is now required to take place curbside," says a statement.