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Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at:
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An extended mask mandate in Rhode Island
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A rental assistance program in Wyoming
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Vaccine distribution by state
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School closures and reopenings
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Travel restrictions
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Federal responses
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COVID-19 policy changes from this time last year
We are committed to keeping you updated on everything from mask requirements to curfews to vaccine-related policies. We will keep you abreast of major developments—especially those affecting your daily life. |
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BALLOTPEDIA |
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The next 24 hours
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What is changing in the next 24 hours?
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New York (Democratic trifecta):
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) released a list of 16 mass vaccination sites that will begin accepting walk-ins age 60 and older on April 23.
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Spectators are allowed at horse and auto races at 20% capacity starting April 22.
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Since our last edition
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What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here.
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Colorado (Democratic trifecta): On April 21, Gov. Jared Polis (D) announced state-run community vaccination sites in Denver, Larimer, Mesa, and Pueblo counties could start accepting walk-ins. For exact locations and walk-in hours, click here.
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North Dakota (Republican trifecta):
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On Wednesday, April 21, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) announced he will end the statewide COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 30. Burgum first declared the emergency on March 13, 2020, and has extended it several times since then. When the emergency ends, the remaining COVID-19 executive orders will also terminate.
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On Wednesday, April 21, Burgum vetoed House Bill 1323. The bill prohibits officials from mandating face coverings. The Senate passed the bill 30-17 on April 6, while the House passed the bill 67-24 on April 12. Both the House and the Senate would need a two-thirds majority to override the veto.
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Vermont (divided government): On April 29, part-time Vermont residents will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine. Part-time residents include college students and people who own second homes in the state.
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Virginia (Democratic trifecta): On Wednesday, April 21, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) amended a COVID-19 executive order to allow seating at bars, so long as patrons keep six feet apart.
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West Virginia (Republican trifecta): On Wednesday, April 21, Gov. Jim Justice (R) announced he would end the statewide indoor mask mandate if 70% of state residents receive at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine.
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Wyoming (Republican trifecta): On Wednesday, April 21, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed a bill establishing an emergency rental assistance program and directed $200 million in federal funding to help residents pay rent and utilities if they can demonstrate a loss of income caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Vaccine distribution
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We looked at vaccine eligibility in the April 20 edition of the newsletter. Now that everyone 16 and older is eligible for vaccination nationwide, we will look at how each state is doing with vaccine distribution every Tuesday and Thursday.
As of April 21, the states with the highest vaccination rates as a percentage of total population (including children) were:
The states with the lowest rates were:
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School closures and reopenings
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Read more: School responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic during the 2020-2021 academic year
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Two states (Del., Hawaii) and Washington, D.C. had state-ordered regional school closures, required closures for certain grade levels, or allowed hybrid instruction only.
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2016-17 enrollment: 403,664 students (0.80% of students nationwide)
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Ten states (Ark., Fla., Iowa, N.C., N.H., N.M., Ore., Texas, Wash., W.Va.) had state-ordered in-person instruction.
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2016-17 enrollment: 13,202,644 students (26.10% of students nationwide)
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Two states (Ariz., Mass.) had state-ordered in-person instruction for certain grades.
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2016-17 enrollment: 2,087,651 students (4.13% of students nationwide)
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Thirty-six states left decisions to schools or districts.
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2016-17 enrollment: 34,893,900 students (68.98% of students nationwide)
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Travel restrictions
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Read more: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
Overview:
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Since the start of the pandemic, governors or state agencies in 27 states and the District of Columbia issued executive orders placing restrictions on out-of-state visitors. At least 21 of those orders have been rescinded.
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Since April 15, one state has announced changes to its travel restrictions.
Details:
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Hawaii - On April 26, Gov. David Ige (D) announced that fully vaccinated residents traveling between islands will be exempt from quarantine requirements beginning May 11. Under the policy, in-state travelers are exempt 15 days after receiving their last COVID-19 vaccine shot. Ige said the policy would be expanded to travelers from other states later in the summer but did not give a date.
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Federal responses
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Read more: Political responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
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On April 16, the White House announced a $1.7 billion package to assist the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health departments in tracking and combatting COVID-19 variants through genomic sequencing.
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On April 21, President Joe Biden (D) unveiled a tax credit for businesses and nonprofits aimed at offsetting the cost of allowing employees to use paid leave to receive a coronavirus vaccine. The credit, available to organizations with fewer than 500 employees between April 1 and Sept. 30, covers up to 80 hours of leave at $511 per day.
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This time last year: Thursday, April 23, 2020
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The first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020. But it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout March and April, many states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, and changed election dates. Many of those policies remain in place today. Each week, we’ll look back at some of the defining policy responses of the early coronavirus pandemic.
Here's what happened this time last year. To see a list of all policy changes in each category, click the links below.
Thursday, April 23, 2020:
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School closures:
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) announced public schools would not reopen for in-person instruction for the rest of the academic year. Before the announcement, schools were closed through May 1.
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Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) announced public schools would not reopen for in-person instruction for the remainder of the academic year. Before the announcement, schools were closed through April 30.
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Federal government responses:
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The U.S. House passed the $484 billion Paycheck Protection and Health Care Act by a 388-5 vote. The bill increased funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as well as for hospitals and testing.
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