Which States are Opening and Which are Not This Week?
The New York Times released an article outlining the U.S. states that are partially opening, soon opening and still shut down because of the coronavirus. While some state officials are eager to reopen, others are very wary.
After weeks of shut down cities, closed up shops, layoffs and social distancing, the country is beginning to slowly but surely open up. The question of if and when is left mainly up to state officials—and not all of them agree.
While some are calling for an opening up of the economy, others are scared that a premature opening could cause cases to spike even more and do more damage than is already done. Some barbers have returned to work wearing masks. Some restaurants are beginning to prepare their places for customers. Still, many states have not seen a decrease in cases, and total number of deaths in the U.S. from the virus is over 67,000.
The New York Times published an article that outlines which states are beginning to open up their economies, which are planning to soon and which are still on shut down. The Times is tracking when orders to stay at home are lifted in each state, as well as when larger openings are allowed in public spaces like restaurants, retail stores, salons, gyms and houses of worship. The page will be updated regularly.
Reopening
As of last Friday, May 1, and the start of this week, many U.S. states have begun to open up the economy. Businesses are opening under restrictions, such as allowing fewer customers, requiring workers and customers to wear masks and enforcing social distancing. Rules and regulations may vary by county.
The article notes the total number of recorded cases in each state, a graph representing case by date, and specific details about each state’s orders. The following are the states beginning to open:
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Order Reopening or Lifting Within the Next Week
Several states have businesses that are set to reopen or stay-at-home orders that could lift soon, depending on whether or not governors decide to extend them:
North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
Still on Shut Down
Other states, especially those hardest hit by the virus, will remain shut down until further notice:
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
The article also includes a way to track the virus and its cases in various countries and every U.S. state.