The new virus, which originated in China, causes the potentially deadly disease COVID-19.
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.
Any business owner that wants to can reopen soon while sporting events can resume, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced May 19.
“Friday, we’re open for business across the state of Alaska,” Dunleavy said at a press briefing. “It’ll all be open, just like it was prior to the virus.”
Dunleavy’s phased reopening plan is being compressed as phases three and four are happening simultaneously at the end of the week.
The governor last week extended the mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving in Alaska to June 2.
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.
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.
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 no more than one case 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.
Draft guidelines for reopening were released Tuesday.
Democratic Gov. Jared Polis plans to decide on May 25 if restaurants can expand to dine-in service.
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.
Reopening is starting Wednesday as retailers can resume business and office space can reopen. Restaurants can resume outdoor service.
Hair salons and barbershops were supposed to be able to reopen but Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday he was delaying that aspect.
“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.
Gyms and some other businesses are also remaining closed.
Beaches will reopen for Memorial Day weekend. Lamont joined a regional pact with New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Delaware in a bid to avoid people crowding into beaches in 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.
Retailers can reopen Wednesday by appointment only while restaurants, bars, taprooms, and breweries can soon apply to expand to outdoor seating on June 1.
Democratic Gov. John Carney has eased a number of restrictions recently, including allowing houses of worship to hold in-person services at 30 percent occupancy.
Farmer’s markets and ice cream shops can resume business. Beaches and pools can reopen on May 22.
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.
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.
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.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said he'd soon announce new guidance for businesses that haven’t been allowed to reopen.
“They’re wanting to open back those businesses, and people want to go participate in those activities, and I get that. We just got to make sure we do it in a way that’s safe for Georgians,” Kemp told WSB-TV on Tuesday.
“We’ll tell you we’re working very hard to try and have some guidance out over the next several days,” he added.
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 Kemp.
A slew of businesses began reopening last month, including restaurants, movie theaters, and bowling alleys, in one of the first reopenings in the country.
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.
Ige signed an order extending the mandatory isolation for people entering Hawaii through June 30.
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.
Restaurants can serve customers at outdoor tables in phase three of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan. The move, announced at a May 20 press conference, was supposed to take place down the line.
Phase three is slated to start on May 29.
“After listening to and working with restaurant industry representatives together with our epidemiologists, today, I’m announcing an additional option for bars and restaurants interested in resuming operations earlier: opening for outdoor seating when phase three begins, likely for everyone just nine days from now,” Pritzker 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 could be charged with a class A misdemeanor until recently implemented emergency rules were withdrawn by state officials before they could be blocked by a committee of lawmakers.
Phase three for most of the state will start May 22, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday.
Three counties with high numbers of CCP virus cases will not enter phase three until June 1.
The phase includes allowing gatherings of up to 100 people and expanded capacity limits for restaurants and retailers.
Pools and campgrounds will reopen and sports practices can resume, though contact sports are prohibited.
Personal care businesses reopened earlier this month while restaurants, retailers, and bars were allowed to welcome customers back inside.
Casinos likely won’t reopen until June 14, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission. That’s when phase four of the plan is scheduled.
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.
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.
Phase two will begin Friday with all businesses and activities allowed to reopen or resume except for bars, nightclubs, and pools.
“We may be transitioning to phase two, but we are still a long way away from arriving at anything bordering normal,” Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly told reporters.
The cap on gathering size was increased to 15. It was originally supposed to go to 30 but was moved down because of some clusters of the CCP virus.
Kelly previously let a number of businesses reopen, including barbershops, gyms, and salons.
Restaurants could welcome customers inside on May 4.
Retailers can welcome customers back inside on May 20, two days after government offices and agencies were able to resume in-office work.
Restaurants are slated to be able to resume dine-in service May 22 while personal care businesses including salons can reopen on May 25.
Reopenings slated for June include movie theaters, gyms,libraries, museums, 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.
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.
Gyms and fitness centers won’t fully reopen on June 1 as planned, state officials said, citing new studies they said raise concerns about the transmission of the virus “in such settings due to large numbers of people in relatively small spaces with moist, warm atmospheres coupled with turbulent air flow generated by intense physical exercise.”
Gyms and fitness centers are allowed to conduct outside classes and one-on-one instruction indoors.
Nail salons won’t reopen June 1 because California identified the establishments as a source of CCP virus transmission, state officials said.
“It is appropriate to delay the reopening of gyms and nail salons, both of which appear to present a greater risk of transmission of the virus based on emerging science and the experiences of other states,” Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement.
Mills also announced campgrounds can reopen on Friday. She has let table service in restaurants and inside retail service resume in some 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.
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 Montgomery County.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Houses of worship are encouraged to wait to resume in-person services until June 1, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Tuesday.
Reeves never ordered houses of worship to close but state officials have said services, weddings, and funerals are events where virus outbreaks can occur.
Reeves let a number of businesses, including gyms, salons, and barbershops, reopen in recent weeks.
Restaurants were able to resume indoor table service while retailers were allowed to welcome people inside.
Casinos can start reopening May 21, over two months after they were closed, the state Gaming Commission said.
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.
Phase two of reopening will begin June 1, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock said Tuesday.
Gatherings of up to 50 people can be held as long as physical distancing can be maintained and restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, and casinos can expand to 75 percent capacity.
Gyms, indoor group fitness classes, pools, and hot tubs can operate at the same capacity restrictions if frequent sanitation is carried out.
Indoor and outdoor venues like bowling alleys can operate.
“Social distancing, wearing a cloth mask, washing your hands, and sanitizing are all part of our new normal. If not for you, do it for others, especially for the most vulnerable among us,” Bullock said in a statement. “Not following these guidelines could put us in a position where we have to go backward, instead of being able to continue to move forward.”
Gyms, movie theaters, and museums were able to reopen earlier in May while restaurants and bars were able to welcome customers back inside on May 4. Bullock has also let schools welcome students back, pending decisions by local school boards.
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.
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.
Fishing charters, shooting ranges, and other outdoor attractions were allowed to reopen this week under a modified stay-at-home order from Republican Gov. Chris Sununu.
Restaurants were able to serve customers at outside tables starting May 18, a week after retailers, hair salons, golf courses, and barbershops reopened.
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.
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.
Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a letter that state lawmakers who want a full reopening are “reckless” and accused them of ignoring “the plain facts of the crisis.”
Grisham recently modified the state’s emergency public health order while extending it to May 31.
The modified mandate let retailers welcome customers back inside on May 16. So-called non-essential businesses, such as those requiring offices, could 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 include gun stores, pet service businesses, and golf courses.
The Western New York region began reopening May 19, a few days after five other regions began reopening.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo is keeping strict restrictions in place for New York City and most parts of the state.
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.
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.
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.
Gyms across Ohio can open immediately after a county judge ruled against state Health Director Dr. Amy Acton.
Thirty-five gyms filed a complaint and earned a preliminary injunction that blocks Acton or other state officials from imposing or enforcing penalties if people use gyms, health clubs, and fitness centers as long as safety guidelines are followed.
The action came a day after Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said he was shifting his modified stay-at-home order to a health advisory, telling reporters, “This is a new phase in our battle against the virus.”
But the ban on most gatherings of 10 or more people will stay in place, as will other restrictions.
DeWine previously let a slew of businesses resume operations, including personal care services, manufacturing companies, and construction crews.
Dine-in service at restaurants and bars can resume Thursday, nearly a week after outdoor service was allowed to resume.
Gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed as of last week 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.
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.
Real estate showings can resume, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday.
Wolf has let 37 counties move out of the red phase. 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.
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.
So-called close-contact businesses including barbershops, hair salons, gyms, pools, and others reopened 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 last week 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Counties can get permission to speed up reopening, potentially allowing 10 more counties to reopen faster, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee told reporters Tuesday.
The move “is happily going to allow more economic opportunity” that counties that receive approval from state officials, Inslee added.
Doctors and dentists were able to reopen this week.
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.
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.
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.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers delegated to Palm to extend his stay-at-home order.
Local governments can still issue their own restrictions.
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.
