US states to reopen: Colorado is latest to lift restrictions

Colorado is the latest state is start easing lockdown restrictions in a bid to kick start the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.  

The state’s Democratic governor said the partial reopening will begin April 27 when some businesses will be allowed operate again with restrictions and elective surgeries can recommence. 

Colorado joins four other Republican states – Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas – in restarting their economies.     

It comes after President Donald Trump last week gave the nation’s governors his road map for how the US can reopen businesses and schools shut down by the coronavirus. 

The guidelines suggest that states should record two weeks of declining cases before reopening. None of the states that are reopening have yet to record such a decline. 

Some states, like hard-hit New York, have extended lockdown restrictions into at least mid-May. 

Trump’s guidelines to reopen the country largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors who have primary responsibility for public health in their states. 

About 95 percent of the country currently remains on some form of lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. 

Seven states – Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming – still have no stay-at-home orders in place for its residents.    

Here’s where each state is with current lockdown measures and plans moving forward:   

Colorado  

Colorado’s governor says elective surgeries and retail curbside delivery can begin 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 expires April 26 but residents are still urged to stay home where possible.  

Georgia

Georgia’s governor says gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors can reopen on April 24 as long as owners follow strict social-distancing and hygiene requirements. 

Elective medical procedures can also resume. By April 27, movie theaters may resume selling tickets and restaurants limited to takeout orders can return to limited dine-in service. 

The state’s shelter-in-place order remains in effect until April 30 but 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.  

South Carolina 

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 were also allowed to reopen at noon on Tuesday. 

Bars and restaurants are limited to take-out only and nonessential businesses are limited to minimum operations or remote work.

The state’s order closing all nonessential businesses expires April 27. 

Tennessee 

Stay-at-home order will not be extended past April 30 and a phased reopening will begin next week.  

There is currently a 10 person limit on gatherings. 

Nonessential businesses are limited to minimum operations or remote work. 

Bars and restaurants are currently limited to take-out only.

Texas

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 can start resuming surgeries on April 22 that had been postponed by coronavirus but only if they do not take away from the hospital’s capacity to treat COVID-19 and if the hospital reserves 25 percent of its beds for COVID-19 patients. 

From April 24, retailers can reopen but only if they can deliver their goods or services to people at home or in their cars to minimize contact. 

Schools and universities will remain closed for the rest of the year. 

State’s stay-at-home order still exists through April 30 and there is a 10 person limit on gatherings.

Air travelers flying to Texas from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Louisiana or Washington – or Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Miami – must self-quarantine for 14 days

Bars and restaurants are currently still limited to take-out only. 

Alabama

Stay-at-home order through April 30

10 person limit on gatherings

Non-essential businesses closed to the public

Restaurants and bars limited to take-out only

Alaska 

Indefinite stay-at-home order. 

10 person limit on gatherings.

Nonessential businesses are limited to minimum operations or remote work. 

Restaurants and bars limited to take-out only. 

Travelers from out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Arizona 

Stay-at-home order through 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

Trump on Thursday gave governors a road map for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out 'a phased and deliberate approach' to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases

Trump on Thursday gave governors a road map for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out ‘a phased and deliberate approach’ to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases

Arkansas  

No state-wide stay-at-home order 

10 person limit on gatherings – doesn’t apply to unenclosed outdoor spaces or places of worship

Gym and entertainment venues closed, hotels and vacation rentals restricted to authorized guests

Restaurants and bars limited to take-out only 

California  

Indefinite stay-at-home order 

Gatherings in a single room or place prohibited

Nonessential businesses are limited to minimum operations or remote work

Restaurants and bars limited to take-out only 

Connecticut 

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

Out-of-state visitors strongly urged to self-quarantine

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Delaware  

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 

Florida  

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gave the all-clear for some beaches and parks to reopen from April 17 if it could be done safely 

Stay-at-home order through April 30 

No social gatherings public spaces – with religious exemptions

Nonessential services closed to the public – but gun stores remain open

Visitors from COVID-19 hot spots such as New York must self-quarantine for 14 days

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only  

Hawaii  

Stay-at-home order at least through April 30

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

Idaho 

Stay-at-home order through April 30 

Non-essential gatherings prohibited 

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Illinois

Stay-at-home order through at least April 30

10 person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Indiana  

Stay-at-home order through April 20, but likely to be extended 

10 person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Iowa 

No stay-at-home order 

Nonessential businesses ordered to close until April 30 

10 person limit on gatherings 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Kansas  

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

Kentucky 

No stay-at-home order 

Mass gatherings prohibited, smaller gatherings allowed with social distancing 

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

Louisiana  

Stay-at-home order through April 30 

10 person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Maine  

‘Stay healthy at home’ executive order through April 30 

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

Maryland 

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  

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

Michigan

Stay-at-home order through April 30

Public gatherings prohibited – with religious exemptions  

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Minnesota   

Stay-at-home order through May 3

Entertainment and performance venues closed 

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Mississippi  

Stay at home order through April 20

Schools closed through the end of the semester

10 person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Missouri  

Stay Home Missouri’ order through April 24

10 person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses must enforce social distancing  

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Montana  

Stay-at-home order through April 24

Nonessential social and recreational gatherings prohibited  

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

Nebraska  

No stay-at-home order

Hair salons, tattoo parlors and strip clubs closed through May 31 

10 person limit on gatherings  

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Ohio: . About 100 protesters assembled outside the building during Gov. Mike DeWine's weekday update on the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, upset that the state remains under a Stay-At-Home order and that non-essential businesses remain closed

Ohio: . About 100 protesters assembled outside the building during Gov. Mike DeWine’s weekday update on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, upset that the state remains under a Stay-At-Home order and that non-essential businesses remain closed

Thousands of furious demonstrators have gathered at Michigan's state Capitol, creating a massive traffic jam filled with honking cars and flag-waving protesters in defiance of the state's stringent statewide stay-at-home orders on Wednesday. Protesters, some showing off guns, pictured on the front steps of Lansing's Capitol building urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to lift her lockdown mandate

Thousands of furious demonstrators have gathered at Michigan’s state Capitol, creating a massive traffic jam filled with honking cars and flag-waving protesters in defiance of the state’s stringent statewide stay-at-home orders on Wednesday. Protesters, some showing off guns, pictured on the front steps of Lansing’s Capitol building urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to lift her lockdown mandate

Nevada 

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

New Hampshire  

Stay-at-home order through May 4 

Nine person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

New Jersey  

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  

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  

Stay-at-home order through May 15

Nonessential gatherings 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

North Carolina 

Stay-at-home order through April 29

10 person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

North Dakota  

No stay-at-home order

Schools, restaurants, fitness centers, movie theaters and salons closed

No state-wide directive on gatherings  

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Ohio   

Stay-at-home order through May 1

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

Oklahoma  

‘Safer at Home’ order until April 30 for people over the age of 65 and other vulnerable residents

10 person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses must suspend services 

Visitors arriving from New York, California, Louisiana and Washington must self-quarantine for 14 days 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Oregon  

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 

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  

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 

South Dakota  

No stay-at-home order

Unnecessary gatherings of 10 or more prohibited  

Utah  

No stay-at-home order

10 person limit on gatherings

Businesses must minimize face-to-face contact with high-risk employees  

Visitors from out of state must self-quarantine for 14 days 

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Vermont 

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 must self-quarantine for 14 days 

 Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Virginia  

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 

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

West Virginia  

Indefinite stay-at-home order

Five-person limit on gatherings

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work

Visitors from coronavirus hotspots must self-quarantine for 14 days 

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only

Wisconsin  

‘Safer at Home’ order prohibits all nonessential travel until May 26 

All public and private gatherings are prohibited with limited exceptions. 

Nonessential businesses limited to minimum operations or remote work

Self-quarantine recommended for out-of-state visitors 

Bars and restaurants limited to take-out only 

Wyoming 

No stay-at-home order – but social distancing restrictions through April 30

10 person limit on gatherings in a confined space

Restaurants and bars limited to take-out only 

Anyone entering the state except for essential work must quarantine for 14 days

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