1. We’re back (kinda)
States that have opened at least some nonessential businesses
Alaska: Restaurants, salons, and retail stores are allowed to open with restrictions. A second phase of reopening could come May 8.
Georgia: Nonessential businesses such as restaurants, gyms, and theaters are now open with restrictions. Not bars or nightclubs.
Iowa: There never has been a stay-at-home order in the Hawkeye state. Many restaurants and retail locations can open on May 1 at 50% capacity, but not in the most populous counties.
Minnesota: Some nonessential businesses were allowed to reopen this week. A stay-at-home order has been extended to May 18.
Mississippi: Some retail businesses were allowed to open on Monday, but at no more than 50% capacity. And gyms and barber shops remain closed.
Montana: The state began a phased reopening plan this week, as the stay-at-home order expired on Monday. Bars, restaurants, and casinos can reopen on a limited basis on May 4.
Oklahoma: Hair and nail salons, pet groomers, spas, and more reopened last week, while other nonessential businesses will be allowed to resume operations Friday, May 1.
South Carolina: Some retail stores were allowed to start opening back up on April 20 under heavy restrictions. But the state remains in a state of emergency.
Tennessee: Many restaurants and retail stores are now allowed to reopen as part of Gov. Bill Lee’s "Tennessee Pledge" to lift restrictions on businesses in much of the state. No live music, though.
2. I can taste it
States that will open at least some nonessential businesses in the next week or two
Alabama: Stay-at-home order will expire April 30. A phased reopening will begin that day.
Arizona: Stay-at-home orders have been extended until May 15, however a few nonessential retail stores will be allowed to open on May 4 and expand operations May 8.
Arkansas: Governor Asa Hutchinson is aiming for May 4 to start opening up certain businesses.
Colorado: The state has transitioned to a “safer at home” policy, with certain nonessential businesses allowed to open (but not gyms or movie theaters). Nonessential office work can begin on May 4.
Florida: Stay-at-home order expires April 30, but some beaches are open. A phased reopening will begin in most counties on Monday, May 4.
Idaho: Stay-at-home order expires April 30 with a planned phased reopening after that if health conditions are met.
Indiana: Stay-at-home order until May 1. Parts of the economy could open up beginning just after that.
Kansas: Stay-at-home order will expire May 4. Gov. Laura Kelly will release a reopening plan Thursday, April 30.
Kentucky: Businesses will start to reopen May 11 and restrictions will ease over the course of four weeks. Residents will be required to wear masks in public.
Maine: Maine has also implemented the less-stringent “safer at home” policy. Four gradual stages of reopening will begin May 1.
Missouri: The state said many businesses can reopen on Monday, May 4, with “no limitations on social gatherings.”
Nebraska: The state is relaxing a number of restrictions on May 4, and restaurants in some areas can resume dine-in service.
North Dakota: The state plans to fully reopen its economy Friday, May 1. That includes gyms, restaurants, hair salons and other close-contact businesses.
Ohio: Starting Friday, May 1, dental, health, and vet care will resume with the exception of overnight hospital stays. Throughout the following two weeks, manufacturing, construction, offices, and retail will all reopen with safety precautions in place.
Rhode Island: Gov. Gina Raimondo’s three-part plan to reopen the economy could begin as early as May 9. The state has been one of the leaders in testing.
South Dakota: Award goes to South Dakota for the best tagline for reopening: the “Back to Normal” plan to get businesses and schools convening in limited gatherings. SD never had a stay-at-home order.
Texas: Things are picking up fast. Retail stores, movie theaters, and malls can reopen on Friday, May 1. Same with restaurants for dine-in service (all with restrictions, of course).
Utah: Gyms, salons, and in-restaurant dining can get going again May 1. The state is also loosening some other restrictions on travel.
Vermont: As part of an ongoing phased reopening plan, some industries started going back to work on Monday, and farmers markets can reopen on May 1.
Wisconsin: The state is in the middle of a phased reopening. A few nonessential businesses like dog groomers, boat rentals, and repair shops are already allowed to open.
Wyoming: There’s currently no stay-at-home order. The governor will announce plans to reopen businesses starting next week and local conditions will matter a lot. Gyms, barber shops, and other personal-service businesses can reopen on May 1.
3. Hitting the snooze button
States whose reopening plans will most likely kick into gear later in May
California: Gov. Gavin Newsom has unveiled a four-stage plan to ease restrictions over the next few months. Some retail businesses are "weeks away" from opening.
Illinois: Stay-at-home order has been extended to May 30, though Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he hopes the state can begin opening up in late May.
Louisiana: Stay-at-home order extended until May 15, but restaurants can now let customers eat on patios and malls can offer curbside pickup.
Michigan: Though Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order until May 15, she’s also laid out a plan to begin opening up parts of the economy in certain regions of the state. The construction industry could get going in the next week or two.
Nevada: The state is preparing to phase in medically necessary health and dental procedures, and Governor Steve Sisolak says he’ll announce a broader reopening plan Thursday, April 30.
New Hampshire: The state’s stay-at-home order is scheduled to end May 4. State parks, campgrounds, and ATV trails could reopen at limited capacity in May, while businesses await a plan from the state.
Oregon: No state plan to reopen as of yet, but Gov. Kate Brown has solicited proposals from counties to determine more local openings. It appears that rural regions will be able to reopen before urban areas.
Washington: In what was the virus’s original epicenter, there are signs of reopening...gradually. Construction projects can resume; however, the stay-at-home order is likely going to extend beyond May 4, when it’s set to expire.
West Virginia: Hospitals are resuming elective surgeries this week as part of a three-phase reopening plan. Hotels, casinos, gyms, and other businesses are part of phase #3, which could start reopening in three to six weeks.
4. Watching, waiting
States that have said they need more information before they release concrete reopening plans
Connecticut: Shutdown until at least May 5. A reopening plan will be presented to the governor by May 20.
Delaware: Stay-at-home order until at least May 15.
Hawaii: Stay-at-home order has been extended until May 31. But golf courses and car dealerships could open in Honolulu soon.
Maryland: Mum's the word from Gov. Larry Hogan. He’s in a watching, waiting pattern and said his reopening plan will be determined strictly by science.
Massachusetts: Nonessential business closures have been extended until May 18. There’s no set date on reopening.
New Jersey: On April 27, Governor Phil Murphy said the state will begin reopening in a “number of weeks,” adding “I would not say it’s a number of months, but I’d also remind folks that these viruses come back.”
New Mexico: The state’s stay-at-home order has been extended until “at least” May 15, as a 15-member council plans the economic reopening. The mayor of Grants has vowed to defy the order and allow small businesses to stay open.
New York: Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced 12-step regional reopening plan, with upstate areas like Albany slated to reopen some businesses in mid-May. NYC’s closure remains indefinite.
North Carolina: The stay-at-home order and closure of close-contact businesses like restaurants and bars has been extended through May 8, while a three-phase reopening plan remains dependent on COVID-19 case trajectory.
Pennsylvania: The government will make an announcement Friday, May 1, as to which parts of the state can begin reopening May 8.
Virginia: Stay-at-home orders have been extended until June 10. Gov. Ralph Northam has a blueprint called “Forward Virginia,” but he’s not ready to implement it until there are more signs the coronavirus is easing in the state.
Washington D.C.: Stay-at-home orders until at least May 15.
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