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Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at changes in vaccine eligibility in Florida, the next phase of reopening in Massachusetts, and much more. Want to know what we covered yesterday? Click here.
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.
The next 72 hours
What is changing in the next 72 hours?
- Alabama (Republican trifecta): Residents age 55 or older and people ages 16-64 with state-defined, high-risk underlying conditions will be eligible for vaccination starting March 22.
- Florida (Republican trifecta): On Friday, March 19, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that people 50 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on Monday, March 22.
- Kansas (divided government): The state will open vaccinations to all individuals in phases 3 and 4 of the plan starting March 22. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 64 with an increased risk of severe complications from underlying conditions will become eligible for vaccines.
- Kentucky (divided government): Gov Andy Beshear (D) announced residents age 50 and older will be eligible for vaccinations starting March 22. Beshear also said anyone 16 and older will be able to sign up no later than April 12.
- Louisiana (divided government): Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) announced all state-defined essential workers (including grocery store and food service employees, manufacturing and construction workers, and higher education faculty and staff) will be eligible for vaccinations starting March 22. To see a full list of who is eligible, click here.
- Massachusetts (divided government):
- On March 22, people 60 and older and certain workers, including restaurant and grocery store workers, will become eligible for a vaccine.
- The state is advancing to Phase IV of the reopening plan on March 22. Under Phase IV, large sports and entertainment venues can operate at 12% capacity if they submit a plan to the Department of Public Health. Additionally, the gathering limit for event venues in public settings can increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors, and dance floors are permitted at weddings. The state’s requirement that travelers quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test is now an advisory.
- Michigan (divided government): Residents age 50 and older or 16 and older with medical conditions or disabilities will become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine on March 22.
- Nebraska (Republican trifecta): On Friday, March 19, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) announced the state will move into Phase 2 of its vaccination plan March 22, allowing people 50 and above to become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.
- New Hampshire (Republican trifecta): Vaccinations for private and public K-12 teachers and staff can begin March 22. Registration for school staff opened March 17.
- New York (Democratic trifecta):
- On March 22, residential outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people will be allowed. Indoor gatherings remain capped at 10 people. Non-residential gatherings of up to 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors will be permitted.
- Starting April 1, large sports venues (that hold more than 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 outdoors) can open at 10% capacity indoors or 20% capacity outdoors. Outdoor performing arts venues can also reopen at 20% capacity.
- Washington (Democratic trifecta):
- All counties will advance to Phase 3 of reopening on March 22. Phase 3 limits capacity at businesses like restaurants and movie theaters to 50% and allows up to 400 people to gather at indoor and outdoor events if mask usage is enforced and people keep six feet apart.
- On Thursday, March 18, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) extended the statewide eviction moratorium through June 20. He also announced that, effective immediately, indoor visits can resume at long-term care facilities if either the visitor or the resident is vaccinated.
- On Thursday, March 18, Inslee announced that people 60 and older and anyone with two or more comorbidities will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on March 31.
- Wisconsin (divided government): People with underlying health conditions, including those with cancer and diabetes, will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 22.
Since our last edition
What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here.
- Colorado (Democratic trifecta): People in Phase 1B4 of vaccine distribution can get vaccinated starting March 19. The phase includes all residents 50 and older. Frontline restaurant, manufacturing, and local and state government workers are also eligible regardless of age.
- Connecticut (Democratic trifecta):
- Some restrictions are lifted starting March 19. Restaurants, offices, places of worship, and personal care service businesses can operate at full capacity. Social gatherings at private residences can expand to 25 people indoors or 100 outdoors. Social gatherings at commercial venues can expand to 100 people indoors or 200 outdoors. All school sports practices and competitions are allowed. Connecticut's out-of-state travel requirements are now recommendations.
- Residents aged 45 to 54 are eligible for vaccination starting March 19. Previously, residents 55 and older could get vaccines.
- Illinois (Democratic trifecta): Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) announced all residents age 16 and older will be eligible for vaccinations starting April 12. Pritzker also announced the Bridge Phase between Phase 4 and Phase 5 of reopening. The state can start the phase once 70% of residents age 65 and older receive at least one vaccine dose, ICU rates remain below a certain level, and hospitalizations, deaths, and cases are steady or decline over a 28-day period. To learn more about the Bridge Phase, click here.
- Maryland (divided government): On Thursday, March 18, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced that anyone 60 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on March 23. Hogan also announced that people 16 and older with medical conditions will become eligible March 30. On April 13, eligibility will expand to include people 55 and older, as well as workers in critical industries. Eligibility will expand to everyone 16 and older on April 27.
- Missouri (Republican trifecta): Gov. Mike Parson (R) announced everyone in Phase 2 (including construction workers, higher education faculty and staff, and homeless people) will be eligible for vaccinations starting March 29. On April 5, all adults will become eligible to receive vaccines.
- New Jersey (Democratic trifecta):
- Businesses like restaurants, bars, personal care service providers (such as salons and barbershops), and state-defined indoor recreation businesses (like casinos, gyms, and others) can expand from 35% to 50% capacity starting March 19. On the same day, the indoor gathering limit will expand from 10 to 25 people. Outdoor gatherings can expand from 25 to 50 people.
- Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed an executive order allowing outdoor interstate youth sports competitions to resume, effective 6:00 a.m. March 19.
- Murphy extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order until April 16.
- New York (Democratic trifecta): Restaurants outside of New York City can expand indoor dining from 50% to 75% capacity starting March 19. Restaurants in New York City remain at 35% capacity.
- Nevada (Democratic trifecta): People 16 and older with pre-existing conditions, including cancer and lung disease, are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine beginning March 22.
- Ohio (Republican trifecta): Residents in Phases 1E and 2C of the state’s vaccination plan are eligible for vaccination starting March 19. Phase 1E includes residents with underlying health conditions, such as cancer and heart disease. Phase 2C includes all residents 40 and older.
- Rhode Island (Democratic trifecta): Starting March 19, indoor dining capacity can increase from 66% to 75%. Indoor attendance limits at catered events (like wedding receptions) are increasing from 30 to 100 people, with the maximum capacity limit increasing from 50% to 75%. Outdoor catered event attendance limits are increasing from 100 to 200 people. Social gatherings of 15 people indoors or 50 people outdoors are permitted. Previously, social gatherings were capped at two households indoors or three outdoors. Places of worship can operate at 75% capacity, up from the previous 40% limit. Retailers, personal care service providers, gyms, and other businesses can also increase capacity. For a full list of changes, click here.
- Utah (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, March 18, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) announced that people 16 and older will become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine Wednesday, March 24.
- Vermont (divided government): On Friday, March 19, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that people 60 and older will become eligible for a coronavirus vaccine March 25. On March 29, eligibility will expand to include people 50 and older. People 40 and older will become eligible on April 5, while those 30 and older will become eligible April 12. Scott said everyone 16 and older can access the vaccine April 19.
Additional activity
In this section, we feature examples of other federal, state, and local government activity, private industry responses, and lawsuits related to the pandemic.
- On Friday, March 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that K-12 students should maintain three feet of distance between one another in schools. Previously, the CDC had recommended a physical distancing requirement of six feet. When masks cannot be worn at all times, such as while eating, the CDC continues to recommend six feet of distance. Middle school and high school students in areas with high rates of COVID-19 spread should still maintain six feet of distance.
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