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States start to reopen, ending coronavirus lockdowns: Friday is the next big day

States all have their own definition of “reopening”. Read More...

Governors are setting their own timelines on when parts of their economies shut down by the coronavirus can reopen.

Just what “reopening” means is being defined differently by individual U.S. states, and some are only discussing general timelines.

While some, for example, are allowing hair salons to reopen under certain conditions, others say they remain closed. And some states are loosening rules more in only some parts of the state. Social distancing remains a constant, though masks aren’t always required.

So far, many of the states that have announced reopening plans are small contributors to the U.S. economy. Friday is the next day when several states, including Texas, Colorado and Tennesee, will loosen some restrictions.

An impatient President Donald Trump has pushed governors to move quickly and has supported protesters in several state capitals calling for states to reopen despite the tens of thousands of deaths caused by the COVID-19 illness. The White House has published guidelines for a step-by-step lifting of shutdown rules that include having a downward trajectory on cases over 14 days, and Trump was unexpectedly critical of Georgia’s plan to begin loosening restrictions there.

Among other large states, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked for recommendations on how to reopen the Sunshine State, and his task force is now accepting suggestions from the public. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said a limited reopening in that state could begin May 15. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled a plan on April 27 that included no firm timeline. He suggested restrictions could remain in place for weeks.

In California, six counties around San Francisco extended stay-at-home orders through May but said they would ease some restrictions on unspecified lower-risk activities before then.

Read: Companies reveal their plans for what work will look like when America returns to the office

Here’s what some states have announced:

Texas: All retail stores, malls, restaurants, movie theaters, libraries and museums can reopen on May 1 but at only 25% capacity. That could increase to 50% capacity on May 18. Outdoor sports like tennis and golf can resume with groups of no more than four people. Hair and nail salons are not yet allowed to open. Summer camps are still a question.

Ohio: Offices, warehouses, manufacturers and construction companies can reopen May 4. Retailers and service businesses can open on May 12, and customers must wear face masks. All are subject to social-distancing rules. Dining in a restaurant remains off-limits. Hair and nail salons as well as gyms also remain closed.

Georgia: Gyms, hair salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors were allowed to reopen on April 24 with strict social-distancing and hygiene requirements. Hospitals can resume elective surgeries. On April 27, movie theaters were allowed to reopen, and restaurants can offer limited dine-in service. The plan has been met with skepticism within the state, as the Wall Street Journal reports.

Colorado:Rules started loosening on April 27, when some retailers began with curbside pickup. In-store sales can resume May 1 with social distancing. Real-estate agents can start showing homes again on April 27, though open houses won’t be allowed. Also allowed to reopen May 1 are one-on-one personal services hair salons, tattoo shops, personal trainers, dog groomers, dental offices and other elective medical services. Offices can reopen on May 4 with 50% of their staff and with social distancing, although Gov. Jared Polis said people should continue working from home if possible. Face masks are still required, and group gatherings can’t exceed 10 people.

Read:German infection rate ticks higher after reopening moves, offers lesson to U.S. governors

Oklahoma: Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, pet groomers and spas have been allowed to reopen with social distancing, if they aren’t in communities with more restrictions in place. State parks and outdoor recreation areas also can reopen.

The list expands May 1 to include sit-down restaurants, movie theaters, sporting venues and gyms, also with social distancing. Places of worship can reopen for in-person services if they leave every other row or pew open.

Mississippi:Retail stores were allowed to reopen on April 27 with limits on the number of customers, but gyms, hair salons, tattoo parlors, movie theaters and casinos are among those that must stay closed. Restaurants still can’t allow sit-down dining. Although places of worship aren’t covered by the state’s rules, Gov. Tate Reeves says he has asked pastors not to have in-church services.

Read:Coronavirus is ‘a silent disaster’ for rural southern states

Tennessee: The state’s safer-at-home order ends April 30, so most businesses can reopen May 1. Restaurants were able to open for dine-in services at half-capacity starting April 27. Retail stores can open on April 29. Counties with their own health departments, which include those that are home to Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville, plan their own reopen strategies.

Nebraska:Beginning May 4 in 59 of the state’s 93 counties and including Omaha, dine-in restaurant services can resume at 50% capacity, and groups will be limited to a maximum of six people. Hair and nail salons, barbershops, massage therapy and tattoo parlors can reopen that same day, and both workers and patrons must wear masks. Childcare facilities can reopen, also with limits. Rules affecting places of worship also will be loosened. Rules affecting the Lincoln, the state capital, don’t expire until May 6, and it’s unclear whether restrictions will be eased then.

Read: U.S. economy to reopen in May and June and then ‘really bounce back,’ Mnuchin says, but others are thinking fall

South Carolina: Stores selling furniture, clothing, sporting goods, books and flowers, among other retail categories, as well as department stores and flea markets, were allowed to reopen at 5 p.m. on April 20 at no more than 20% capacity and with social distancing. Beaches followed on April 21. Local and county governments could still order closures.

Alaska:Sit-down restaurant meals can resume, but only with tables comprising members of a single household and only with a reservation. Restaurants can be only 25% full, among other rules. Restaurants in Anchorage must keep a log of customers to help with any future contact tracing, among other rules. Indoor and outdoor gatherings, which include religious services, are limited to 20 people, or 25% of a building’s capacity. Retail stores can reopen, but with a limit of 20 people or 25% of capacity at a time, and only one adult from a household can enter at a time. Hair salons, barber shops and nail salons are allowed to reopen as well, also with social distancing.

Read:Coronavirus survives longer airborne and travels further in these public spaces — here’s where to be extra careful

Iowa: Restaurants, stores and shopping malls as well as some other businesses can reopen in 77 of the state’s 99 counties beginning May 1 but at no more than 50% capacity. Restaurants will be limited to tables of no more than six people, and all tables must be at least 6 feet apart. Among the counties that aren’t reopening are those home to the state’s largest cities, including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City and Iowa City.

Florida:Some beaches and parks have reopened. In Jacksonville, for example, they are open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Social distancing there is required, and groups can’t exceed 49 people. Key West beaches are among the latest to reopen but only to locals.

Also see: Track all of MarketWatch’s latest coronavirus news here

Pennsylvania:Construction projects deemed nonessential can restart on May 1. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he hopes to ease restrictions in the north-central and northwest parts of the state on May 8 to allow child-care facilities and in-store retail sales to resume operation.

Vermont:Crews of no more than two could resume outdoor work and construction in unoccupied buildings beginning April 20. Retailers could reopen with curbside pickup and delivery services.

Idaho:Its first stage for reopening could begin May 1 if certain criteria are met and would allow day cares, camps and places of worship (with social distancing) to reopen.

Read:This conservative economist says President Trump’s plan to reopen the economy fails in crucial ways

Also:‘These kids have been isolated socially and educationally’: Will kids across America have to cancel camp this summer?

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