Texas recorded a record number of daily deaths on the eve of the state lifting its coronavirus lockdown measures – as New Hampshire announced it could start reopening over the next 10 days and Connecticut unveiled plans to lift restrictions on May 20.
With White House guidelines for reopening having expired on Thursday, more than half of US states are now forging ahead with various strategies to allow businesses – from restaurants and retailers to construction and manufacturing – to reopen.
In Texas, one of the most populous US states, all retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls can resume activity from today while limiting capacity to 25 percent of their usual occupancy.
The lift in restrictions came as deaths jumped by 146 in just three days, bringing the state’s total to 812. The state recorded its highest daily death toll – 53 – on Thursday.
It comes as a rural area in Texas that previously had no deaths and eight infections out of its 50,000 population saw a spike in cases this week following an outbreak at a nursing home.
Lamar County, in the state’s east, became an overnight hotspot following the outbreak that has so far resulted in one death and 62 infections.
The whiplash from healthy outlier to overnight hotspot has shed light on the balancing act states are taking on as they begin relaxing restrictions amid the pandemic.
Scroll down for a full list of where each state is with current lockdown measures
Texas recorded a record number of daily deaths – 53 in a single day – on the eve of the state lifting its coronavirus lockdown measures, bringing the state’s total to 812
Despite extending the stay-at-home order until May 31, New Hampshire’s Governor Chris Sununu said some businesses can start reopening in the state over the next days.
Drive-in theaters, golf courses and hair salons will be allowed to start up again from May 11 with strict social distancing.
Restaurants that have outdoor seating can reopen from May 18 if tables can be spaced six feet apart.
Campgrounds, manufacturing services and state parks can open immediately if they follow the guidelines.
Ohio started reopening on Friday by allowing non-essential surgeries and will then move to open construction and manufacturing on Monday. Retail shops and many consumer services will not resume in the state until May 12.
Georgia has also taken another step toward a full restart by allowing all businesses to reopen from today.
Meanwhile, Connecticut’s governor has revealed the state’s four-phased plan to reopen from May 20. Connecticut is part of the alliance of seven Northeastern states, including epicenter New York, who have agreed to coordinate lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
Gov Ned Lamont warned the state would only forge ahead with a partial May 20 reopening if certain criteria is met, including 14 days of downward infections, increased testing availability and sufficient contact tracing methods.
If that criteria is met, restaurants with outdoor seating, offices, hair and nail salons and outdoor museums and zoos will be allowed to reopen.
The next three stages are only tentative but Gov Lamont warned the final phases could take up to 10 months to implement.
States are feeling enormous pressure to reopen businesses and restore social life, despite a lack of wide-scale virus testing and other safeguards urged by health experts as the outbreak appears to have waned across many parts of the country.
In the states that are reopening, companies are not being forced to reopen and it’s unclear how many business owners and employees would want to immediately return to work.
It also isn’t clear how many customers would be venturing back into stores and restaurants.
The sense of urgency with which states were looking to reopen was highlighted on Thursday by Labor Department data showing that more than 30 million Americans have sought unemployment benefits since March 21.
The jobless toll amounts to more than 18.4 percent of the working-age population, a level not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
States, mostly in the South, the Midwest and mountain West, have moved to relax restrictions since Georgia led the way late last week.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said late on Thursday he was relaxing his state’s month-long shelter-in-place orders, allowing all businesses to reopen on Friday.
Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said late on Thursday he was concerned about states and communities ‘leapfrogging’ over the first phase of federal guidelines for reopening.
‘Obviously, you could get away with that but you’re making a really significant risk,’ Fauci told CNN.
Phase one of the White House guidelines to reopening the US recommends states and regions satisfy a series of criteria including a 14-day decline in cases of the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus, a robust testing program and the healthcare capacity to handle a possible surge.
They also recommend that Americans ‘maximize physical distance’ and avoid social settings of more than 10 people and that employers encourage telework whenever possible and a gradual return to the workplace.
Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin all reported a record number of new cases on Thursday. The spike in infections in those states could be linked to an increase in testing, which would show cases previously undetected.
Several states, including Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and West Virginia, posted new highs in their daily death tolls.
The number of known infections across the US has now climbed to well over one million. The death toll has increased to more than 63,000 deaths.
Here’s where each state is with current lockdown measures:
Partially reopening
Alabama
Cases: 7088 – Deaths: 272
Alabama’s employers and retail stores are allowed to reopen from April 30 at a reduced 50 percent capacity.
Beaches will reopen but residents have to adhere to social distancing, including not gathering in groups of 10 or more.
High risk business including theaters, night clubs, fitness centers, barber shops, hair and nail salons will remain closed.
Bars and restaurants can only have takeaway or curbside pickup.
The updated order expires May 15.
Alaska
Cases: 355 – Deaths: 9
Reopening of restaurants, stores, hair and nail salons and other businesses started April 24.
Under the new rules in some Alaska territories, restaurants will reopen but are limited to 25 percent capacity and there must be 10 feet between tables and only family members can be seated at the same table.
Salons in Alaska may only accept customers by appointment.
Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, where some 40 percent of residents live, delayed easing restrictions until April 27.
Arkansas
Cases: 3281 – Deaths: 61
There is no state-wide stay-at-home order.
Restaurants will open for limited dine-in services from May 1 but can only operate at a third of its normal capacity.
Gyms and indoor recreational facilities can resume operates from April 30. Restrictions will lift on hair salons and barber shops on May 1.
State parks will reopen from May 1.
Colorado
Cases 15284 – Deaths 777
Elective surgeries and retail curbside delivery began April 27. Hair salons, dental offices and tattoo shops can also reopen that date with restrictions.
Other retail will be allowed to reopen from May 4 with social distancing restrictions. Large workplaces can reopen on May 4 at 50% capacity.
Restaurants and bars are still limited to takeout only.
The state’s stay-at-home order expired April 26 but residents are still urged to stay home where possible.
Florida
Cases: 33,690 – Deaths: 1268
The state will reopen some business on May 4 except for in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
Restaurants can offer outdoor seating six-feet between tables and indoor seating at 25% capacity.
Retail can operate at 25% capacity.
Bars, gyms, movie theaters and personal services – like hair salons – are to remain closed.
Some beaches and parks reopened from April 17 if it could be done safely.
Georgia
Cases: 26,388 – Deaths: 1136
Gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors can reopen from April 24 as long as owners follow strict social-distancing and hygiene requirements.
Elective medical procedures can also resume. Movie theaters may resume selling tickets and restaurants limited to takeout orders can return to limited dine-in service from April 27.
At-risk people are urged to remain home until May 13.
Bars, live performance venues and amusement parks will remain closed. Religious institutions are still urged to hold drive-thru or online services for now.
Idaho
Cases: 2015 – Deaths: 63
Some business are allowed to offer curbside pick up, drive in and drive thru services.
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.
Illinois
Cases: 52,918 – Deaths: 2,355
From May 1, nonessential retailers can reopen for delivery or offer online orders that can be picked up outside stores.
Face masks are required outdoors.
Iowa
Cases: 7145 – Deaths: 162
There is no stay-at-home order.
From May 1, restaurants can open at 50 percent capacity but no more than six people at one table.
Malls, fitness centers, libraries and retail stores can open at 50 percent capacity.
Horse and dog racing tracks can reopen with no spectators.
All other businesses remain closed through May 15.
Kentucky
Cases: 4708 – Deaths: 240
No stay-at-home order but anyone going out in public will have to wear a mask from May 11.
Dentists, chiropractors, optometrists allowed to start taking non-urgent patients from April 27. Prior to that, those services were only allowed to take urgent appointments.
Outpatient/ambulatory surgery and invasive procedures can begin May 7. Elective and non-urgent procedures can resume at 50 percent capacity from May 13.
Manufacturing, construction, car dealerships and professional services can start May 11 at 50% capacity.
Retail and houses of worship can begin May 20. Barber shops and salons can reopen from May 25.
Restaurants and bars can likely reopen for dining in June.
Louisiana
Cases: 28,001 – Deaths: 1,905
Bars and restaurants are limited to take-out only but from May 1 they will be allowed to let customers eat in outdoor areas as long as there’s no table service.
Malls can also start operating curbside retail from May 1.
Stay-at-home order has been extended until May 15.
There’s a 10 person limit on gatherings.
Maine
Cases: 1095 – Deaths: 53
Businesses including drive-in theaters, barber shops and hair salons, dog groomers and car dealerships can reopen from May 1.
Some outdoor recreation like golf courses, marinas and state-owned public land trails will also be allowed to reopen.
Current restrictions, including no gatherings of more than 10 people and 14 day quarantine for out of state visitors, still apply.
If employees are able to work from home, they should continue to do so.
Restaurants and bars are still limited to take-out only.
Michigan
Cases: 41,379 – Deaths: 3,789
Stay-at-home order extended until May 15. Public gatherings prohibited – with religious exemptions.
Garden stores, nurseries, lawn-care, pest-control and landscaping operations were allowed to resume business from April 24.
The construction industry can return to work on May 7.
Nonessential businesses are still limited to minimum operations or remote work. Retailers that do not sell necessary supplies can reopen for curbside pickup and delivery.
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.
Minnesota
Cases: 5136 – Deaths: 343
In Minnesota, only businesses that don’t interact with the public can reopen from April 27.
It includes those in industrial, manufacturing and office settings. Retail stores must remain closed.
The state’s stay-at-home order still runs through to at least May 3.
Entertainment and performance venues remain closed and bars and restaurants are limited to take-out only.
Mississippi
Cases: 6815 – Deaths: 261
In Mississippi, retail stores, including those in strip malls and shopping centers, are now allowed to reopen on April 27 if they reduce their customer capacity by 50 percent at any given time.
Businesses that can’t avoid person-to-person contact, including gyms, cinemas and salons, are to remain closed.
Elective medical and dental procedures are now allowed.
The state’s stay at home order has been extended until at least May 11.
Missouri
Cases: 7825 – Deaths: 351
From May 4, all businesses will be allowed to reopen and social events can resume as long as residents and business owners continue social distancing and limit capacity.
Local governments can impose stricter limitations if their officials believe it is necessary.
Kansas City’s stay-at-home order is scheduled to continue through May 15.
Montana
Cases: 453 – Deaths: 16
Churches resumed services on April 27.
Starting May 4, restaurants and bars can start providing some dine-in services.
Schools have the option to return to in-classroom instruction May 7.
Visitors from out of state still must self-quarantine for 14 day.
Nebraska
Cases: 4281 – Deaths: 70
No stay-at-home order.
From May 4, people can dine-in at restaurants but they must remain six feet apart and everyone must wear masks.
Bars are still limited to take-out only.
Hair salons, tattoo parlors and strip clubs closed through May 31.
There’s a 10 person limit on gatherings.
New Hampshire
Cases: 2164 – Deaths: 72
Stay-at-home order extended until May 31.
Drive-in theaters, golf courses and hair salons will be allowed to start up again from May 11 with strict social distancing.
Restaurants that have outdoor seating can reopen from May 18 if tables can be spaced six feet apart.
Campgrounds, manufacturing services and state parks can open immediately if they follow the guidelines.
North Dakota
Cases: 1067 – Deaths: 19
No stay-at-home order.
Bars and restaurants, recreational facilities, health clubs and athletic facilities, salons, and tattoo studios can reopen from May 1 with social distancing measures.
Movie theaters must limit admittance to 20% capacity.
Ohio
Cases: 18027 – Deaths: 976
Non-essential surgeries that don’t require an overnight hospital stay will start May 1.
Manufacturing, distribution and construction sectors will reopen May 4, following by consumer retail and services on May 12.
Companies will need to require employees and customers to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Oklahoma
Cases: 3618 – Deaths: 222
Some businesses that were closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus were allowed to reopen from April 24 and others can reopen within 10 days.
Barbershops, hair and nail salons, pet groomers and spas were allowed to reopen from April 24. The move is contingent on businesses practicing social distancing, and employees and customers must wear masks if they are within six feet of each other.
Restaurants, movie theaters, gyms and places of worship can reopen May 1. Nurseries tied to places of worship will remain closed.
South Carolina
Cases: 6095 – Deaths: 244
Department stores, sporting goods stores and flea markets are among the businesses allowed to reopen in parts of the state from April 20.
Other stores selling furniture, books, music, flowers, clothing and accessories can also reopen. The businesses are allowed to open at 20 percent capacity, or five people per 1,000 square feet.
Beaches are also allowed to reopen April 21.
South Dakota
Cases: 2449 – Deaths: 17
No stay-at-home order
Unnecessary gatherings of 10 or more prohibited
Tennessee
Cases: 10735 – Deaths: 199
Businesses in most counties can reopen as early as April 27.
Retail stores, which can reopen from April 29, and restaurants will operate with a 50 percent customer capacity. Many of Tennessee’s 56 parks will open on Friday.
Businesses can expect temperature checks, enforced mask wearing and social distancing.
Large cities including Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville can decide on their own when to reopen.
Texas
Cases 28,728 – Deaths 812
Retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls can reopen at a 25 percent reduced capacity from May 1.
State parks reopened on April 20 but people must wear face coverings and masks and adhere to social distancing. People also cannot visit in groups of five or more.
Hospitals could resumed surgeries on April 22 that had been postponed by coronavirus.
Schools and universities will remain closed for the rest of the year.
Utah
Cases: 4672 – Deaths: 46
No stay-at-home order.
Restaurants can allow customers dine in again with precautions from May 1.
Gyms and personal services including hair salons can reopen May 1.
Vermont
Cases: 866 – Deaths: 49
Stay-at-home order through May 15.
Construction, home appraisers, property management and municipal clerks can reopen from April 27 with a maximum of five workers.
Farmers markets can operate from May 1.
Outdoor retail space can allow in-person shopping with a max of 10 people.
West Virginia
Cases: 1125 – Deaths: 41
Elective surgeries can resume from April 30.
Small businesses with less than 10 employees can reopen next week, including hair and nail slaons, barber shops and pet grooming.
There is an indefinite stay-at-home order.
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.
Wisconsin
Cases: 6854 – Deaths: 316
The stay-at-home order has been extended to May 26.
Nonessential businesses and public libraries can have curbside pickup and delivery.
Groomers, engine repair shops are allowed to do curbside drops offs.
Golf courses are open.
Some state parks will reopen from May 1.
Not reopening
California
Cases: 50411 – Deaths: 2046
There is an indefinite stay-at-home order and gatherings in a single room or place are prohibited.
Nonessential businesses are limited to minimum operations or remote work, while restaurants and bars are limited to take-out only.
Essential surgeries are now being allowed in California.
Six counties in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, have extended its shelter-in-place order until mid-May but will allow construction to restart.
Connecticut
Cases: 27700 – Deaths: 2257
Stay-at-home order through May 20.
Five person limit on social gatherings, 50-person limit for religious services.
Non-essential businesses must suspend all in-person operations and bars and restaurants are limited to take-out only.
Out-of-state visitors strongly urged to self-quarantine.
If the state meets certain criteria by May 20, including 14 days of downward infections, increased testing availability and sufficient contact tracing methods, it will forge ahead with partial reopening.
If that criteria is met, restaurants with outdoor seating, offices, hair and nail salons and outdoor museums and zoos will be allowed to reopen.
Delaware
Cases: 4734 – Deaths: 152
Stay-at-home order through May 15.
10 person limit on gatherings.
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work.
Visitors from out of state who aren’t just passing through must self-quarantine for 14 days.
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.
Hawaii
Cases: 618 – Deaths: 16
Stay-at-home order has been extended until May 31.
10 person limit on gatherings
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Visitors from out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Kansas
Cases: 4413 – Deaths: 134
Stay-at-home order until May 3
10 person limit on gatherings – exempting funerals and religious services with social distancing
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Residents who traveled to California, Florida, New York or Washington state after March 14, or visited Illinois or New Jersey after March 22, must self-quarantine for 14 days
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.
Maryland
Cases: 21742 – Deaths: 1140
Indefinite stay-at-home order
10 person limit on gatherings
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Visitors from out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Massachusetts
Cases: 62,205 – Deaths: 3,562
Non-essential businesses closed through May 4
10 person limit on gatherings
Visitors from out of state advised to self-quarantine for 14 days
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
New Jersey
Cases: 118,652 – Deaths: 7,228
Indefinite stay-at-home order
10 person limit on gatherings
Nonessential retail businesses must close bricks-and-mortar premises. Recreational and entertainment businesses also closed
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
New Mexico
Cases: 3411 – Deaths: 123
Stay-at-home order through April 30
Five person limit on gatherings in a single room
Nonessential businesses must suspend all in-person operations
Arriving air travelers must self-quarantine for 14 days
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
New York
Cases: 311,379 – Deaths: 23,796
Stay-at-home order through May 15.
Nonessential gatherings are prohibited.
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work.
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.
Masks must be worn in situations where social distancing is not possible.
Elective surgeries can begin in parts of the state.
North Carolina
Cases 10754 – Deaths 406
Stay-at-home order through May 8
10 person limit on gatherings
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Oregon
Cases: 2510 – Deaths: 103
Indefinite stay-at-home order
25 person limit on gatherings
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Pennsylvania
Cases: 48,134 – Deaths: 2,475
Stay-at-home order through April 30
Gatherings prohibited
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Rhode Island
Cases: 8621 – Deaths: 266
Stay-at-home order through May 8
Five person limit on gatherings
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Visitors from out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Virginia
Cases 15847 – Deaths 552
Stay-at-home order through June 10
Recreation and entertainment businesses closed through May 8
10 person limit on gatherings
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Washington
Cases 14,986 – Deaths 819
Stay-at-home order through May 4
All gatherings for social, spiritual and recreational purposes are prohibited
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only
Not yet determined
Arizona
Cases 7655 – Deaths 320
Hospitals that have sufficient PPE, capacity and ability to test healthcare workers can open for elective surgeries on May 1.
State’s stay-at-home order currently runs until April 30.
10 person limit on gatherings
Nonessential businesses are limited to minimum operations or remote work
Restaurants and bars limited to take-out only
Indiana
Cases: 17835 – Deaths: 1114
Stay-at-home order runs through May 1.
There’s a 10 person limit on gatherings.
Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work and bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.
Hospitals, veterinarians, dentists and other health care providers were allowed to resume operations from April 27 if they had the appropriate PPE.
Nevada
Cases: 5054 – Deaths: 243
Stay-at-home order through April 30.
10 person limit on gatherings
Recreational, entertainment and personal-care businesses closed, including casinos
Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only.