With economies in tatters and novel coronavirus cases starting to plateau in many areas of the U.S., governors are starting to discuss ending stay-at-home orders -- many of which have been in place for over a month.
But reopening states to business is a difficult and controversial topic. Should states reopen too early, coronavirus cases may spike again, undoing the good social distancing did for weeks. Should they continue to stay closed, small businesses across the state may never recover and fiscal crises could grip many states.
President Donald Trump initially asserted his own authority to reopen states, before he later demurred and said governors would act independently with guidance from the federal government.
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Here is a look at when stay-at-home orders will be lifted across the country:
Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey lifted Alabama's stay-at-home order April 30, allowing some businesses to reopen at 50% capacity, and allowing elective medical procedures to resume.
Alaska: Gov. Mike Dunleavy allowed nonessential businesses to reopen for regular business hours, with varying restrictions by sector, on April 24. Many travel and fishing restrictions have also been lifted.
Arizona: Gov. Doug Ducey announced he state's stay-at-home order will expire May 15. Pools, gyms and spas can open on May 13. Major league sports can resume without fans on May 16.
Arkansas: Having never put an official stay-at-home order in place, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced May 4 that Arkansas movies theaters, bowling alleys, arenas and other large outdoor venues could reopen. The governor also announced that restaurants can resume limited dine-in options on May 11.
California: Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an indefinite stay-at-home order is in place, with some restrictions eased for expanded retail with curbside pickup and resumption of some manufacturing and supply chains. Three counties -- Modoc, Sutter and Yuba -- have issued orders to reopen businesses.
Colorado: The state's stay-at-home order expired on April 27, moving to a new phase named by Gov. Jared Polis as "Safer at Home." In this phase, retail businesses can do curbside pickup, other businesses can reopen with medical precautions and elective surgeries may resume. Businesses such as salons, dog groomers, personal trainers and elective medical services opened May 1. On May 4, Polis allowed offices to reopen at 50% capacity. Some counties, including Denver, have extended their stay-at-home orders until May 8.
Connecticut: Gov. Ned Lamont extended his state's stay-at-home order until May 20.
Delaware: Gov. John Carney extended a stay-at-home order until May 15.
District of Columbia: Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the city's stay-at-home order was extended through May 15.
Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis' allowed restaurants and stores to reopen at 25% capacity on May 4. All businesses in Florida’s most populous counties -- Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach -- remain closed.
Georgia: The state earned widespread criticism, even from the president, after Gov. Brian Kemp said businesses like gyms, hair salons and barber shops could open on April 24 with theaters and restaurants reopening on April 27.
Hawaii: Gov. David Ige extended the stay-at-home order until May 31.
Idaho: The state proceeded with its first phase of reopening -- which includes allowing religious centers and certain nonessential businesses to operate -- on May 1. The next phase, as outlined by Gov. Brad Little, begins May 16.
Illinois: While Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will extend the state's stay-at-home order until at least May 30, he has lifted restrictions on retail stores, allowing them to reopen for curbside pickup and delivery. However, Madison County officials have announced plans to reopen restaurants and retails businesses at 25% capacity beginning May 13.
Indiana: Indiana's stay-at-home order expired on May 1.
Iowa: The state has not had a stay-at-home order since April 20 and Gov. Kim Reynolds lifted the ban on nonessential surgeries beginning April 27.
Kansas: Gov. Laura Kelly announced a phased reopening the state, starting on May 4.
Kentucky: Gov. Andy Beshear's stay-at-home order is currently indefinite.
Louisiana: Gov. John Bel Edwards has announced that the state will enter phase one of reopening on Friday, May 15. Churches, barbers, salons, gyms and other designated businesses will be able to reopen at 25% capacity.
Maine: Gov. Janet Mills has introduced the Rural Reopening Plan, under which retail stores in 12 of 16 counties opened on May 11.
Maryland: Gov. Larry Hogan's stay-at-home order is currently indefinite.
Massachusetts: Gov. Charlie Baker closed schools and day care businesses for the rest of the academic year. Massachusetts’ stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 18.
Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the state's stay-at-home to May 28, although the state has eased some restrictions on some companies and outdoor activities.
Minnesota: While Gov. Tim Walz has allowed some agricultural and industrial employees to return to work, Minnesota’s stay-at-home order is still in effect until May 18.
Mississippi: The state's stay-at-home order expired on April 27, and Gov. Tate Reeves' "safer-at-home" order went into effect, allowing some businesses reopen.
Missouri: The state’s stay-at-home ordered expired on May 3 with Gov. Mike Parson allowing all businesses to reopen -- if following social distancing guidelines -- the next day.
Montana: The state's stay-at-home order lifted on April 24 and some businesses reopened.
Nebraska: The state does not have a stay-at-home order.
Nevada: Gov. Steve Sisolak announced that the state’s stay-at-home order will continue until May 15.
New Hampshire: While the state's original stay-at-home order ended on May 4, Gov. Chris Sununu issued a new executive order, Stay at Home 2.0, which eased some restrictions on some businesses. Elective medical procedures were allowed to resume on May 4.
New Jersey: The state's stay-at-home order is in place until further notice. Gov. Phil Murphy announced all schools in the state will remain closed for in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year.
New Mexico: The state eased some restrictions on May 1, including allowing veterinary offices to reopen and pet services to resume. Some nonessential retailers can operate on a pickup and delivery basis, and others by appointment. Most aspects of ordinary life, like restaurants, offices, gyms, salons and mass gathering spaces are still closed. This phase of reopening ends on May 15.
New York: Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended the stay-at-home order until May 15, however he said that he will extend the "NY PAUSE" initiative in many parts of the state. He laid out metrics to guide which parts of the state will be allowed to open on May 15, with some parts of Central and Northern New York already meeting the standards.
North Carolina: Gov. Roy Cooper began phase one of the state's plan to reopen on May 8. During this phase, the state has allowed non-essential businesses to operate at 50% capacity.
North Dakota: While the state did not have a stay-at-home order, Gov. Doug Burgum's order for business closures ended on April 30.
Ohio: While Gov. Mike DeWine extended his state's stay-at-home order until May 29, he allowed manufacturing, distribution, construction and office work to resume with increased distancing and other health measures on May 4. On May 12, retail and other services can reopen with extra precautions in place to keep shoppers safe.
Oklahoma: Gov. Kevin Skitt began reopening the state with restrictions lifting on barber shops, nail salons, spas, elective surgeries and state parks on April 24. The governor allowed movie theaters, gyms and restaurants to reopen May 1.
Oregon: Gov. Kate Brown announced the state’s stay-at-home order on March 23, which continues to stay in effect.
Pennsylvania: While much of the state began to reopen on May 8, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that many counties are still under a stay-at-home order.
Rhode Island: Gov. Gina Raimondo announced the state's stay-at-home order would be extended to May 8.
South Carolina: The stay-at-home order was made voluntary on May 4 and restaurants were allowed to open outdoor dining, in addition to takeout and delivery.
South Dakota: South Dakota does not have a stay-at-home order.
Tennessee: Gov. Bill Lee allowed the state's stay-at-home order to expire on April 30 and replaced it with a "safer-at-home" order -- which allows certain businesses to reopen -- lasting until May 29.
Texas: The state's stay-at-home order ended April 30. Gov. Greg Abbott allowed retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, museums and libraries to operate at 25% capacity on May 1.
Utah: The state does not have a stay-at-home order.
Vermont: Gov. Phil Scott extended the stay-at-home order until May 15.
Virginia: Gov. Ralph Northam extended the stay-at-home order until June 10, but many restrictions on businesses are being lifted before that date.
Washington: The state’s stay-at-home order is set to expire on May 31, but Gov. Jay Inslee has begun to already reopen parts of the state's economy.
West Virginia: Gov. Jim Justice replaced his stay-at-home order with a "safer-at-home" order on May 4. The new order encourages -- but does not require -- residents to stay at home.
Wisconsin: Gov. Tony Evers announced the state's stay-at-home order was extended to May 26.
Wyoming: Gov. Mark Gordon announced that gyms, barber shops, hair salons and other personal care services and elective surgeries could resume on May 1, as the first phase of reopening the economy.
ABC News' Ryan Shepard, Benjamin Siu, Olivia Eubanks and Jack Arnholz contributed to this report.
What to know about the coronavirus:
- How it started and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus explained
- What to do if you have symptoms: Coronavirus symptoms
- Tracking the spread in the U.S. and worldwide: Coronavirus map
FAQs
What states did not shut down during COVID? ›
Seven states—Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming—did not issue orders directing residents to stay at home from nonessential activities in March and April 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
When did the stay at home order end? ›On January 25, 2021, the Limited Stay at Home Order ended as a result of all regions exiting from a regional stay at home order.
What states handled the pandemic best? ›Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Washington recorded the lowest excess death rates, fewer than 200 deaths per 100,000 people. Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama had more than 500 deaths per 100,000.
Are there any lockdowns in the US? ›Nonetheless, governors of five states have yet to issue lockdown orders for their residents, and three states have issued only partial measures. The vast majority of states have officially ordered most residents to stay indoors, except for essential workers or in specific circumstances.
When did COVID hit the US? ›The first COVID-19 case (confirmed via serological test) in the US was reported in Washington state on January 20, the same day as the first reported case in South Korea [40], [41].
How long was New York in lockdown? ›Government response to the pandemic in New York began with a full lockdown from March 2020 to April 2020, followed by a four-phase reopening plan by region from April 2020 to July 2020.
What was the first state to quarantine? ›In the United States, the first coronavirus‐related activity restrictions were issued on March 12, 2020, when a community within New Rochelle, New York, was declared to be a “containment area.” A traditional quarantine order would require individuals presumed to be exposed to stay at home.
Is California still in a COVID state of emergency? ›Governor Newsom Marks End of California's COVID-19 State of Emergency. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation terminating the state's COVID-19 State of Emergency, as previously announced in October.
When did the Covid lockdown start in California? ›A state of emergency was declared in the state on March 4, 2020. A mandatory statewide stay-at-home order was issued on March 19, 2020, that was ended on January 25, 2021.
Which state has the lowest COVID vaccination rate? ›- Wyoming (52.8%)
- Alabama (52.9%)
- Mississippi (53.5%)
- Louisiana (54.8%)
- Tennessee (56.1%)
- Idaho (56.2%)
- Arkansas (56.6%)
- Georgia (56.9%)
What state has the best economy? ›
| # | State | GDP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 3.5 trillion |
| 2 | Texas | 2.1 trillion |
| 3 | New York | 1.9 trillion |
| 4 | Florida | 1.3 trillion |
- #1. Switzerland.
- #2. Germany.
- #3. Canada.
- #4. United States.
- #5. Sweden.
First things first: We need to re-emphasize that for all that's about to change, one thing isn't changing: COVID-19 isn't going anywhere. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still reporting more than 100,000 cases in the US every week, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths in the thousands.
How long does COVID last? ›Most people who test positive with any variant of COVID-19 typically experience some symptoms for a couple weeks. People who have long COVID-19 symptoms can experience health problems for four or more weeks after first being infected, according to the CDC.
When was the peak of COVID? ›The largest peak in hospitalizations occurred in December 2020 and January 2021, aligning with the largest peak in reported case rates [28].
When did COVID shut down start? ›March 15, 2020
States begin to implement shutdowns in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The study also suggests that the virus was likely circulating as early as late-January 2020 in the New York City area.
When was Omicron in New York? ›The Omicron variant was first confirmed in New York State on December 2, 2021.
When was COVID first detected in New York City? ›The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in New York State on March 1, 2020, in a 39-year-old health care worker who had returned home to Manhattan from Iran on February 25.
Who invented quarantine? ›Is knowingly exposing someone to Covid in Texas? ›
Section 81.089 — This statute sets a criminal penalty for "knowingly or intentionally" bringing a person, object, or animal with a communicable disease that is a threat to the public health into this state without first notifying certain government officials.
When did quarantine start in Louisiana? ›Edwards issued a Stay at Home Order on March 22, directing all Louisiana residents to shelter at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs. Click here for the governor's official order. On April 30, Gov.
Should I still wear a mask? ›It's totally fine to keep wearing a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable – even if you live where there's low community transmission and you don't have health risks for severe COVID-19. This can also be a good idea because breakthrough cases of COVID-19 are still possible.
What counties are in the California disaster in 2023? ›WASHINGTON, April 13, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income California residents in seven counties (Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne) recovering from the impact of severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began on February 21, ...
Is California a quarantine state? ›All travelers arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries should test 3-5 days after arrival. All travelers who test positive or develop symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate and follow public health recommendations.
When did COVID-19 hit Los Angeles? ›^ "CDC Confirms Possible First Instance of COVID-19 Community Transmission in California". California Department of Public Health. February 26, 2020.
Are California schools in person? ›California's K-12 Framework for the 2022/23 School Year. California updated framework to support school communities continuing full-time, in-person instruction for the 2022/23 school year.
When did the COVID vaccine come out? ›Millions of COVID-19 vaccines have been given since December 2020. Researchers at Mayo Clinic and other medical centers continue to study more vaccines that prevent COVID-19.
What percentage of vaccinated people get COVID? ›As of data received through May 8, 2023, the New York State Department of Health is aware of: 2,823,097 laboratory-confirmed breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among fully-vaccinated people in New York State, which corresponds to 19.1% of the population of fully-vaccinated people 5-years or older.
Who has the highest vaccination rate in the US? ›- Rhode Island (87.1%)
- Vermont (85.0%)
- Massachusetts (83.6%)
- Maine (82.8%)
- Connecticut (82.6%)
- Hawaii (81.1%)
- New York (80.2%)
- Maryland (79.2%)
What percent of Americans are fully vaccinated? ›
| State | % of population with at least one dose | % fully vaccinated |
|---|---|---|
| AK | 72% | 64.4% |
| AZ | 76.4% | 63.8% |
| AR | 68.8% | 56.1% |
| CA | 85.2% | 74.2% |
The economy of the State of Texas is the second largest by GDP in the United States after that of California. It has a gross state product of $2.355 trillion as of 2022. In 2022, Texas led the nation with the most companies in the Fortune 500 with 53 in total.
Which state is richer California or Texas? ›The ten richest states in the US umUnion, measured by GDP, are: California – 3,120,386 million. Texas – 1,772,132 million.
Why is Texas so rich? ›Texas remains the nation's largest producer and refiner of oil and gas. Higher oil prices and the rapid expansion of gas production from shale formations continue to boost the state's economic growth.
Is there anyone that is immune to Covid 19? ›Many health care workers and others have never contracted the disease despite being heavily exposed. Scientists around the world are studying whether genetic mutations make some people immune to the infection or resistant to the illness.
Have most Americans had the coronavirus? ›About half of American adults surveyed say they have been infected with COVID-19 at some point, with 35% saying they have tested positive for COVID-19 before. Individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 report being sick for fewer days than unvaccinated individuals.
What damage has COVID done? ›The crisis had a dramatic impact on global poverty and inequality. Global poverty increased for the first time in a generation, and disproportionate income losses among disadvantaged populations led to a dramatic rise in inequality within and across countries.
Which year will COVID pandemic end? ›WHO Leader Expects End of COVID Pandemic In 2023.
What will COVID be like in 2024? ›The Yale team predicts that in 2024 – four years after the pandemic began in March 2020 – about 15% of the population could be infected at any given time. In the meantime, the virus will constantly circulate, and certain populations will remain more vulnerable to it.
Will there be another pandemic? ›Disease forecasters are convinced there's a 27% chance of another COVID-like pandemic within 10 years—but experts believe there's a silver bullet. The global health community will have to act more proactively than they did with COVID if they want to reduce the risk of another pandemic, Airfinity believes.
When did COVID shut down the states? ›
March 15, 2020
States begin to implement shutdowns in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
By March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared COVID-19 a global health emergency and named the virus "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" or "SARS-CoV-2." It was also in March that WHO officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
When the COVID-19 will end? ›What You Need to Know. The federal COVID-19 PHE declaration will end on May 11, 2023. Most tools, like vaccines, treatments, and testing, will remain available. CDC's ability to collect and share certain data will change.
Who announces end of COVID? ›The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has declared “with great hope” an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat.
Is COVID-19 the first pandemic ever? ›Abstract. The novel human coronavirus disease COVID-19 has become the fifth documented pandemic since the 1918 flu pandemic.