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Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we look at:
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Walk-up vaccinations at mass vaccination sites in Massachusetts
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Changes in coronavirus restrictions in New York and Minnesota
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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 72 hours
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What is changing in the next 72 hours?
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Massachusetts (divided government):
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Six of the state’s seven mass vaccination sites will allow walk-up vaccinations beginning Monday, May 10.
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Gov. Charlie Baker (R) will end the statewide outdoor mask mandate and allow amusement and water parks to reopen at 50% capacity on May 10.
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New Jersey (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Phil Murphy (D) will ease some mitigation restrictions May 10. The outdoor gathering limit will expand from 200 to 500 people. Outdoor event venues with more than 1,000 fixed seats can expand to 50% capacity (currently, venues with 2,500 or more seats can operate at 35% capacity). Indoor catered events (including proms, weddings, and political events) can expand from 35% capacity with a maximum of 150 people to 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 people. Indoor catered events will also be allowed to have dance floors with social distancing and mask-wearing.
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New York (Democratic trifecta): On May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit (which applies to organized social events like weddings) will expand from 200 to 500 people.
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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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Kentucky (divided government): Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced all events and businesses serving fewer than 1,000 people at once can expand to 75% capacity on May 28. On the same day, indoor and outdoor venues with more than 1,000 people can expand to 60% capacity.
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Minnesota (divided government): Beginning May 7, Gov. Tim Walz (D) is ending mandatory curfews on bars and restaurants and revising the outdoor gathering limit to permit gatherings of 500 or fewer people. On May 28, he will end all indoor and outdoor gathering limits. Walz will also end the statewide mask mandate on July 1, although that could happen sooner if 70% of residents receive at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
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Missouri (Republican trifecta): Gov. Mike Parson (R) announced the Missouri National Guard is scaling back its operations at mass vaccination sites and will end its involvement by June 1. Parson said the change is due to greater vaccine availability at local pharmacies and lower demand.
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New York (Democratic trifecta):
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Barbershops, salons, and other personal care service businesses are allowed to expand from 50% to 75% capacity starting May 7. Indoor dining is also expanding to 75% capacity in New York City on the same day.
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Broadway theaters will fully open at 100% capacity starting Sept. 14.
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Cuomo also announced percentage capacity restrictions for state-defined large-scale outdoor event venues (like sports stadiums) will end May 19. Those venues will only be limited by six-foot social distancing requirements. Large outdoor event venues will also be able to create sections reserved for fully vaccinated individuals where socially distanced seating between separate parties is not required.
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South Carolina (Republican trifecta): Gov. Henry McMaster (R) announced the state will stop participating in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits programs starting June 30. For more information on the state’s pre-pandemic unemployment benefits programs, click here.
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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 Friday, May 7, pharmaceutical company Pfizer and biotechnology company BioNTech asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant their COVID-19 vaccine full approval. Currently, Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine, like other COVID-19 vaccines, is only available under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). If accepted, Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine would be the first one granted full approval by the FDA.
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This time last year: Friday, May 8, 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.
Friday, May 8, 2020:
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Stay-at-home orders:
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Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) allowed the stay-at-home order to expire. She first implemented the order on March 28 and extended it through May 8 on April 7.
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Travel restrictions:
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The quarantine requirement for out-of-state visitors to North Dakota expired. International visitors were still required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
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Election changes:
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California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order directing county election officials to send mail-in ballots to all registered voters in the Nov. 3 general election.
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