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Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at:
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Changes to coronavirus restrictions in Louisiana
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An initiative in West Virginia to give savings bonds to people who get a COVID-19 vaccine
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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. Want to know what we covered yesterday? Click here. |
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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) announced all state-run mass vaccination sites will be open for walk-in appointments for everyone 16 and older starting April 29. Walk-in appointments are only available for people receiving a first dose. Appointments for second doses will be scheduled automatically for recipients of a first dose.
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Cuomo also announced people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks in public outdoor spaces, effective April 27. Previously, everyone had to wear masks outdoors when social distancing could not be maintained.
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Cuomo announced he will lift the midnight curfew on bars and restaurants starting May 17 for outdoor dining areas and May 31 for indoor dining facilities. The 1 a.m. curfew for catered events will end May 17 for events where all attendees are fully vaccinated or provide proof of a recent negative test. The curfew will end for all catered events (regardless of vaccination and testing status) May 31. Catered events can also resume at private residences May 3. Bar seating can resume in New York City on the same day.
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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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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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Delaware (Democratic trifecta): Gov. John Carney (D) amended the state’s coronavirus emergency order to allow outdoor seating for parties of up to 10 people at restaurants. The order also suspended Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) masking regulations. Carney clarified that “student athletes participating in the interscholastic sports of baseball, golf, girls’ lacrosse, girls’ soccer, softball, tennis, and track and field must wear face coverings except when actively engaged in practice or game play while on the field.”
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Florida (Republican trifecta): On Tuesday, April 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) extended the statewide coronavirus emergency an additional 60 days.
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Indiana (Republican trifecta): On Tuesday, April 27, Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) filed a lawsuit asking a judge to block House Bill 1123, which allows the legislature to call a special session during an emergency. Holcomb vetoed the bill on April 12, arguing the Indiana Constitution permits only the governor to call a special legislative session, but both chambers of the legislature voted successfully on April 16 to override the veto. Holcomb named Sen. Rodric Bray (R), the president pro tempore of the Indiana State Senate, and Rep. Huston (R), the speaker of the house, as defendants in the lawsuit.
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Louisiana (divided government): Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued an order easing mitigation requirements and lifting the statewide public mask requirement effective April 28. The order lifts outdoor capacity limits for theaters, event spaces, and outdoor events (like festivals, fairs, and sporting events). The same facilities and events can have 75% capacity indoors with social distancing or 100% capacity indoors with masks required. For live music events (like at bars and restaurants), the new order requires 10 feet of space between the stage and the audience, and attendees have to be seated. Masks are still required on public transit, in state government buildings, at K-12 schools, at early childhood education centers, at colleges and universities, and at healthcare facilities. State agencies outside of the governor’s cabinet can choose to opt-out of the remaining mask requirements. Businesses can still require patrons to wear masks.
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Maine (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Janet Mills (D) lifted the requirement for people to wear masks in public outdoor spaces effective April 27. Masks are still recommended outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
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North Dakota (Republican trifecta): On Tuesday, April 27, Gov. Doug Burgum (R) announced the state was expanding a joint initiative to vaccinate Canadian truck drivers that enter North Dakota to include drivers coming from the province of Saskatchewan. Burgum first announced the initiative on April 21 to provide vaccines to truck drivers from Manitoba.
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Ohio (Republican trifecta): On Tuesday, April 27, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) issued a revised health order that no longer requires fully vaccinated people to quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19. Vaccinated people who work in nursing homes or long-term care facilities must still quarantine if exposed to the virus.
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Oregon (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced the state will update county risk levels on April 30—a week ahead of the previously scheduled update on May 6. Effective April 30 - May 6, 15 counties will be in the state’s Extreme Risk level, nine counties will be at High Risk, four will be at Moderate Risk, and eight will have Lower Risk restrictions. Currently, 23 counties are in the state’s High Risk level, three are at Moderate Risk, and 10 have Lower Risk restrictions. No counties are currently in the Extreme Risk category. To see restrictions in a specific county or risk level, click here.
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Washington (Democratic trifecta): On Tuesday, April 27, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced that fully vaccinated individuals will no longer need to wear a mask while gathering or dining outdoors in small groups.
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West Virginia (Republican trifecta): On Monday, April 26, Gov. Jim Justice (R) announced an initiative to give a $100 savings bond to people age 16 to 35 who choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The initiative will be retroactive to include anyone in that age group who has already gotten vaccinated.
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This time last year: Wednesday, April 29, 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.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020:
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School closures:
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Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) extended the statewide closure of schools to in-person instruction from April 30 to May 15.
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Additional activity
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In this section, we feature examples of other federal, state, and local government activity, private industry responses, and lawsuits related to the pandemic.
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On Tuesday, April 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for fully vaccinated individuals to say they no longer need to wear a mask when gathering outdoors. The guidance says fully vaccinated individuals should still wear a mask when in crowded areas.
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