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Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. 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 changes in coronavirus restrictions in Massachusetts, Wyoming, Michigan, and Illinois, a directive to stop non-residents from accessing vaccines in Florida, and much more. Want to know what we covered yesterday? Click here.
The next 72 hours
What is changing in the next 72 hours?
- Georgia (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced that, starting next week, all 120,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine allocated to the state by the federal government would go to local health departments. Previously, the state had allocated at least 40,000 of those weekly doses to Walgreens and CVS to be distributed at nursing homes, but Kemp said Walgreens and CVS now have enough supply to complete the nursing home vaccinations.
- Massachusetts (divided government): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced he would end the statewide curfew on businesses and a nighttime stay-at-home advisory on individuals on Jan. 25. The curfew prohibited several types of businesses, including restaurants and gyms, from operating after 9:30 p.m., while the stay-at-home advisory discouraged people from leaving their houses between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Baker said some coronavirus restrictions would remain in place, including indoor and outdoor gathering limits and capacity limits on businesses.
- Oregon (Democratic trifecta): The state is scheduled to start the next phase of vaccine distribution, which includes individuals age 65 and older, childcare workers, and school staff, on Jan 23.
Since our last edition
What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here.
- Alabama (Republican trifecta): Gov. Kay Ivey (R) extended the state’s Safer at Home order, including the requirement that people wear a face-covering in public spaces when social distancing with non-household members cannot be kept, until 5 p.m. on March 5.
- Florida (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees released a health advisory aimed at preventing non-residents from accessing Florida’s supply of vaccines. To receive the first dose of a vaccine, residents must show healthcare providers a copy of their Florida driver’s license or identification card. Seasonal residents are eligible to receive the vaccine if they can provide proof they reside at least part of the year in the state.
- Illinois (Democratic trifecta): The Department of Health announced Region 6 is no longer under Tier 1 mitigation restrictions and is now in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan. Region 7 moved from Tier 3 (most restrictive) to Tier 1 (least restrictive) mitigation, which allows limited indoor dining at bars and restaurants. Region 4 is the only of the state’s 11 regions that is still in Tier 3 mitigation.
- Iowa (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that people 65 and older will become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine on Feb. 1.
- Maryland (divided government): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said school districts that don’t reopen to in-person instruction by March 1 could face legal action. Hogan did not specify in what form that legal action could take but said he would explore his options.
- Michigan (divided government): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) confirmed indoor dining would resume Feb. 1. On that day, she will issue a new order that will also allow non-residential gatherings of up to 10 people from two households.
- Ohio (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced the state will use $50 million in federal stimulus money to buy 2 million rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests. The state will distribute the tests to local health departments.
- Wyoming (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) announced he would ease some coronavirus restrictions on Jan. 26. On that day, the capacity limit for indoor gatherings will rise to 25% or 250 people, while the limit for outdoor gatherings will rise to 500. Previously, indoor gatherings had been limited to 25% capacity or 100 people, while outdoor gatherings had been limited to 50% capacity or 250 people.
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