Happy Holidays! We are taking a short break from our daily schedule after today. Our next edition will arrive on Dec. 30. After that, we'll be back in your inbox daily on Jan. 4, 2020.
Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. During this period of rapid change as states issue new restrictions, 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. Today we look at extended coronavirus emergencies in Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, new restrictions in Massachusetts, and much more. Want to know what we covered yesterday? Click here.
Since our last edition
What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here.
- Louisiana (divided government): Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended the state’s modified Phase 2 reopening through Jan. 13, 2021. The modified phase limits restaurants, retailers, gyms, personal care businesses, and movie theaters to 50% capacity. Bars must close indoor service if their parish has a positivity rate greater than 5%. Bars that are permitted to open are limited to 25% capacity. All indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25% capacity or a maximum of 75 people indoors or 150 people outdoors.
- Massachusetts (divided government): On Tuesday, Dec. 22, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced a series of new coronavirus restrictions, including a 10-person limit on indoor gatherings and a 25-person limit on outdoor gatherings. Additionally, most businesses, including restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, offices, and venues, must limit capacity to 25%. The new restrictions take effect Dec. 26 and last through Jan. 8, 2021.
- Mississippi (Republican trifecta): Gov. Tate Reeves (R) added 16 counties to the state’s mask order, bringing the number of counties under the order to 78 out of 82. The order is set to expire Jan. 15, 2021.
- New Mexico (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) released holiday guidance and suggested alternatives to traditional activities that comply with state health orders.
- Vermont (divided government): On Tuesday, Dec. 22, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced he was temporarily lifting a ban on multi-household gatherings for the holidays. Between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, households can gather with one other household. If a gathering occurs that involves a household from outside Vermont, all participants must quarantine for 14 days. Participants can end their quarantine early if they receive a negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than seven days into the quarantine.
|