In the absence of clear federal oversight, state and local officials have led public health responses to the novel coronavirus. Over the past two months, officials across the nation have shuttered bars and restaurants, imposed curfews, and prohibited large gatherings in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, which has infected more than a million Americans and killed more than 60,000. By April 1, all but five states had issued statewide or local shelter in place orders to protect public health.
Now some officials are moving to reopen businesses, citing concerns about the economic impacts of the shutdown, while others extend restrictions. The decentralized approach has led to a lack of consistency, breeding confusion among residents and small business owners. In Georgia and Oklahoma, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors can reopen under new state guidelines, but in states like Texas and Iowa—where officials have permitted restaurants and retailers to resume operations—they must remain closed.
This guide will be updated as new restrictions are imposed or lifted. Last Update: April 30, 2020, 5: 40 pm.
Alabama
Governor Kay Ivey ordered all Alabama residents to shelter in place beginning April 4, after repeatedly insisting such an action was not necessary. It did not last long. Ivey later signed an executive order allowing all retail stores to reopen at 50 percent capacity starting April 30.
“We know that what we are announcing today will please some and make others frustrated that we’re not going further at this time, but our job must be always to find the right balance,” Ivey said at a press conference on the reopening plans.
Alaska
Governor Mike Dunleavy relaxed his “Hunker Down” order for the state, which went into effect on March 28. Beginning April 24, restaurants, retail stores, person care services, gyms, law firms, and marketing offices were permitted to reopen, with restrictions. Restaurants and personal care services may serve customers in-house by reservation only, and strict social distancing and disinfection procedures must be in place.
Arizona
Governor Doug Ducey ordered all Arizona residents to shelter in place beginning March 31.
On April 29, Ducey announced he would extend the state’s stay at home order to May 15, with some changes aimed at slowly reopening Arizona’s economy. Retail stores will be permitted to reopen starting May 4, and can expand their operations on May 8, provided they follow strict state guidelines. Ducey said he intends to permit restaurants to open later in the month, though he has not identified a date.
“The objective, while continuing to focus on protecting public health, is going to be turning up the light in our economy,” Ducey said at an April 29 press conference.
Arkansas
While the state never issued a shelter in place order, Governor Asa Hutchinson on March 19 ordered all restaurants and bars to close their dining rooms and operate on a to-go or delivery basis only. A few days later, the Arkansas Department of Health ordered salons, barbershops and tattoo shops to close.
Recently, Hutchinson has moved to reopen most businesses. Restaurants may reopen beginning April 29, and restrictions on gyms and indoor recreational facilities will be lifted April 30. On May 1, beauty salons and barber shops may reopen, and places of worship and larger venues may resume operations starting May 4.
“Even if we do decide to lift restrictions on certain industries after May 4, I want to emphasize that they will remain under Phase One guidelines that call for masks, social distancing, and limits on the size of gatherings,” Hutchinson said in a statement.
California
On March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all 40 million Californians to shelter in place until further notice. More recently, Newsom has said he plans to reopen the state in phases, beginning sometime in May.
On April 27, the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and the city of Berkeley announced their stay at home guidelines would be extended through the end of May. But those Bay Area jurisdictions will allow a wider range of outdoor activities, including construction, golf, and child care, beginning May 4.
“We have made substantial progress in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus,” the joint statement from the counties read. “It is critical that our collective efforts continue so that we do not lose the progress we have achieved together.”
Colorado
Governor Jared Polis issued guidelines allowing some businesses and retail stores to reopen beginning April 27. Under the order, which is in effect until May 26, retail stores can allow customers in-store beginning May 1, so long as they follow social distancing and other health guidelines. Hair salons, massage parlors, and other personal services can open May 1 with 50 percent occupancy, provided both customers and employees wear masks and no more than 10 people are in the establishment at once.
Businesses with offices can allow half of their employees to return to work in-person beginning May 4, so long as they follow strict social distancing and screening guidelines. Colleges and universities may hold classes in-person for learning that cannot be done remotely.
The order does not override municipalities with stricter orders in place, such as Denver, Adams, Jefferson, and Boulder counties, where shelter in place orders have been extended until May 8.
Connecticut
On March 23, Governor Ned Lamont issued a shelter in place order for all 3.5 million Connecticut residents. The order is in effect until May 20, but likely will be extended, with a full reopening staggered across coming months.
Delaware
Governor John Carney ordered all Delaware residents to shelter in place beginning March 24. The order will be in effect till May 15 or “until the public health threat is eliminated,” the governor’s office said. On April 27, Carney said that the state’s curve of virus cases still hadn’t flattened, and that the first stages of reopening were still likely weeks away at the earliest.
District of Columbia
Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a stay at home order for all residents, effective April 1. The order was later extended till at least May 15.
Florida
After weeks of criticism over his reluctance to enact sweeping social distancing measures, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered all Florida residents to shelter in place beginning April 2. A previous order applied only to four southeastern counties: Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, and Monroe.
Most of the state will reopen beginning May 4, with restaurants allowed to resume dine-in services at 25 percent capacity, and retail stores, museums, and libraries permitted to reopen with restrictions. Elective surgeries will be permitted to resume, but bars, gyms, schools, and salons will remain closed. The order will not apply to Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, home to many of the state’s cases.
“Everyone in the media was saying Florida was going to be like New York or Italy, and that has not happened,” DeSantis said in a press conference with President Trump April 28.
Georgia
Governor Brian Kemp, who was one of the last state officials to order residents to shelter in place, became one of the first to roll back such restrictions, issuing an executive order April 20 permitting a variety of businesses to reopen.
High-touch businesses such as tattoo studios, hair salons, massage parlors, and gyms were allowed to open starting April 24, provided they follow state mandated social-distancing and public health guidelines. Bowling alleys, theaters, social clubs, and dine-in restaurants could reopen beginning April 27.
Hawaii
Governor David Ige announced a statewide shelter in place order, effective March 25. The order includes exceptions for outdoor recreation like swimming and surfing. On April 26, he extended the order through May 31.
“This was not an easy decision. I know this has been difficult for everyone. Businesses need to reopen. People want to