Welcome to Documenting America's Path to Recovery, our daily update on the plans federal, state, and local officials are making to set America on a path to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
We know how fast the news is flying about coronavirus updates in the states. Are schools open? Are non-essential businesses open? Is there a state of emergency? Is the stay at home order in effect? Governments are reacting on a daily basis to the changing world around them. At Ballotpedia, we want to help you keep up with everything and make sense of the information. Each day, this newsletter will present the most recent events surrounding the basic question— how and when do states reopen?
Each day, this newsletter will:
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Track the status of reopening in all 50 states and describe the relevant political context.
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Provide in-depth summaries of some of the latest reopening plans, beginning with state plans and moving to local government or private industry plans in time.
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Link to the latest stories on other reopening plans and ideas. We’ll keep you up to date on all of the most recent developments coming out of state capitals.
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Highlight commentary laying out key arguments in the debate over how and when to reopen.
Our team of writers are guided by 10 principles surrounding our coverage of America’s Path to Recovery. Learn more about them here.
In today's edition:
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A roundup of reopenings and plans from state governments.
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Debate over how and when states should reopen.
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Tracking the status of reopenings in the states.
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Plan to know: "Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery".
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Additional state and local activity.
Recent developments
The latest news in state reopening plans from Friday through today.
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Colorado permitted the following to begin or resume Monday: retail curbside pickup, elective surgeries, and real estate showings. Gov. Jared Polis (D) released guidelines for specific industries to follow on Sunday. Colorado is a Democratic trifecta.
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's (R) April 23 executive order established guidelines allowing certain businesses to reopen. These include: gyms, bowling alleys, body art studios, and businesses run by barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, and massage therapists last Friday and restaurants and movie theaters Monday. Georgia is a Republican trifecta.
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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) released benchmarks that, if met, would trigger the state to begin a phased reopening of businesses. Benchmarks include: 14 days of decreasing cases, increased testing capacity and contact tracing, personal protective equipment availability, ability to protect at-risk populations, ability to social distance and follow the CDC's guidelines on large gatherings, preparedness for a possible future spike, and status of vaccine and treatment. Kentucky is under divided government, with a Democratic governor and Republican majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.
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Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) released a three-phase plan for reopening businesses and activities in the state tied to benchmarks as opposed to a start date. See the "Plan to know" section below for an in-depth look at Maryland's plan. Maryland is under divided government.
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Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) issued an executive order loosening some of the restrictions in his original April 3 stay-at-home order. The new "Safer at Home" plan allows some businesses to reopen, with restrictions, such as limiting the number of customers allowed inside and making hand sanitizer widely available. Gatherings of 10 or more individuals are still prohibited. Mississippi is a Republican trifecta.
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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) is scheduled to announce reopening plans Monday afternoon.
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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced six principles for recovery: a sustained reduction in new cases, expanded testing, robust contact tracing, safe places for those with positive diagnoses to isolate, responsible economic restart, and ensuring resiliency. Murphy said the first four principles must be attained before the last two. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta.
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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a plan for reopening the state involving different schedules for different regions. The plan would be triggered by a 14-day decline in hospitalization rate and involve two phases, between which there would be a two-week waiting period to monitor effects of phase one. New York is a Democratic trifecta.
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) was set to announce a plan to reopen businesses in a briefing Monday afternoon.
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Oklahoma allowed personal care businesses including barbershops, nail salons, and spas to reopen Friday under certain guidelines. Gov. Kevin Stitt's (R) plan also reopens state parks and outdoor recreation. Oklahoma is a Republican trifecta.
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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's (D) office released a three-phase plan taking a regional approach to reopening. Criteria for reopening include "having fewer than 50 new confirmed cases per 100,000 population reported to the department in the previous 14 days," adequate testing capacity for symptomatic individuals and target populations, contact tracing capacity, and adequate safeguards in high-risk settings. Pennsylvania is under divided government.
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Tennessee allowed restaurants to open at 50% occupancy Monday, and retailers will be allowed to open at 50% occupancy Wednesday. Gov. Bill Lee's (R) guidelines apply to 89 of the state's 95 counties. Counties with their own health departments have their own reopening plans. Tennessee is a Republican trifecta.
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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) released a plan that would allow Virginia businesses to begin reopening under safety restrictions, social distancing requirements, and recommended public face coverings. The first phase would begin after the state increases its testing capacity, number of available hospital beds, and supply of personal protective equipment while experiencing a two-week decline in positive coronavirus tests and hospitalizations. Virginia is a Democratic trifecta.
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West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) announced a six-week phased reopening plan, which would be triggered by three consecutive days of a less than 3 percent cumulative statewide positive test rate. Week one would include restarting elective surgical procedures and reopening daycares. Week two would include outdoor dining, appointment-only professional services such as barbershops, church services with social distancing, and more. Other types of businesses and facilities would reopen weeks three through six. West Virginia is a Republican trifecta.
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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed a new executive order late Monday afternoon. This breaking development occurred just as this newsletter was being sent. Visit Ballotpedia.org for updates. Wisconsin is under divided government.
Commentary
Key arguments in the debate over how and when to reopen.
Tracking reopenings
The table and maps below show the status of plans to lift restrictions on activities because of the pandemic. We'll update them daily.
We're breaking states up into the five categories of reopenings. Here's what they mean:
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Reopenings in progress: the state has already lifted restrictions on some industries put in place because of the pandemic.
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Announced reopenings, effective date: the state will reopen or partially reopen three or more industries on a set date.
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Announced reopenings, contingent date: the state will reopen or partially reopen three or more industries on a targeted date, dependent on other conditions.
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Announced reopenings, no date: the state has a plan to reopen three or more industries entirely dependent on conditions.
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Limited or no announced reopening plan: the state has not yet put forth a plan to reopen there or more industries.
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States with Democratic governors
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States with Republican governors
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Total
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Limited or no announced reopening plan
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17
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12
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29
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Announced reopenings, no date
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0
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2
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2
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Announced reopenings, contingent date
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2
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1
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3
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Announced reopenings, effective date
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0
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2
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2
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Reopenings in progress
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5
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9
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14
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Featured plan
An in-depth summary of one of the latest state reopening plans. Is there a plan you'd like us to feature? Reply to this email and let us know.
Hogan announces three-phase reopening plan triggered by benchmarks
Friday, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) released "Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery," outlining three phases for reopening businesses and activities based on risk level. The plan is triggered by benchmarks as opposed to set dates.
"This document is a roadmap, not a calendar. The Administration does not intend to set dates or telegraph benchmarks for moving through this journey. Unfortunately, the virus dictates the speed with which the State can move."
The state's current primary benchmark is the hospitalization rate, including intensive care unit bed usage. The plan says the state needs a 14-day downward trajectory or plateauing of benchmarks before the first phase, and then subsequent phases, can be implemented. The plan also says returning to normal conditions will require either a vaccine or treatment.
The plan cites guidelines, roadmaps, and principles from the National Governors Association, White House, American Enterprise Institute, and Johns Hopkins University.
The plan says each phase will include subphases to be announced at a later date.
Context
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Hogan declared a state of emergency March 5, issued an executive order closing nonessential businesses March 23, and issued a stay-at-home order March 30.
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As of Monday, Maryland had 18,581 COVID-19 cases and 827 confirmed deaths.
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Maryland is under divided government. Gov. Hogan is a Republican, and both chambers of the state legislature have Democratic majorities.
Plan details
The Low-risk phase will end the stay-at-home order, which went into effect March 30. This phase includes Stop signs—indications that reopening efforts have triggered new outbreaks or strained medical resources and should be slowed.
According to the plan, the low-risk phase may include the following reopenings and allowances:
a. Small shops and certain small businesses
b. Curbside pickup and drop-off for businesses
c. Elective medical and dental procedures at ambulatory, outpatient, and
medical offices
d. Limited attendance outdoor religious gatherings
e. Recreational boating, fishing, golf, tennis, hiking, and hunting
f. Car washes
g. Limited outdoor gym and fitness classes
h. Outdoor work with appropriate distancing measures
i. Some personal services
Stop signs include:
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an unexpected increase in hospitalizations
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a sustained increase in intensive care cases
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indications people are not following physical distancing guidelines
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"[s]ignificant outbreaks of community transmission (not clusters or outbreaks in particular nursing homes or vulnerable communities) where contact tracing cannot establish the route of the spread."
In the Medium-risk phase, local governments and county officials may be allowed, "within parameters set by the Administration, to determine if it is appropriate to resume specified commerce and other activities within their jurisdictions."
According to the plan, allowances and reopenings in this phase may include:
a. Raising the cap on social gatherings
b. Indoor gyms and fitness classes
c. Childcare centers
d. Transit schedules begin returning to normal
e. Indoor religious gatherings
f. Restaurants and bars with restrictions
g. Elective and outpatient procedures at hospitals
The High-risk phase will incorporate industry-specific "Safe Reopen Plans," to be developed by advisory groups the Maryland Department of Commerce formed and vetted by the Maryland Strong Recovery Team.
According to the plan, this phase may include allowing/reopening:
a. Larger social gatherings
b. High-capacity bars and restaurants
c. Lessened restrictions on visits to nursing homes and hospitals
d. Entertainment venues
e. Larger religious gatherings
The plan states that physical distancing and masking requirements will likely remain in effect for the duration of the state of emergency, first declared March 5. It also says those teleworking will continue to do so for the duration of the state of emergency.
Reactions
Support
Maryland Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Christine Ross said, "The plan he unveiled today lays out many important steps for maintaining public health and safety, and describes what a gradual re-opening of the economy will look like. We, like the governor, want to see Marylanders get back to work safely."
Opposition
State Del. William Wivell (R) said, "In the rural areas we just haven't seen the devastation that was predicted. … We have two deaths in Washington County and very minimal number of confirmed cases. I think we were hopeful he would start opening up areas of the state where there wasn't as much of the infection."
Additional activity
In this section, we will feature examples of activities by other federal, state, and local governments and influencers relevant to recovering from the pandemic.
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Miami Beach, Florida, City Manager Jimmy L. Morales sent a memo to Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee members containing a draft recovery plan with two phases for reopening restaurants, bars, retail businesses, gyms, spas, and more.
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Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey (R) filed a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) in the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Illinois. Bailey’s lawsuit claims that Pritzker’s extension of the state’s stay-at-home order through May 30 exceeds his authority as governor and violates the civil rights of Illinois residents.
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On Saturday, both sides in First Baptist Church et al v. Kelly asked a judge to extend the current temporary restraining order in the case from May 2 to May 16. The two sides came to the agreement after Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) announced that she would issue a new order easing restrictions on mass gatherings, specifically eliminating the attendance limits if a 6-foot distance can be maintained. The new order is expected to take effect May 4.
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