In brief
Shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders have been prevalent throughout the United States since March 2020 as state and local governments have sought to protect their citizens from the spread of the COVID-19 virus while at the same time reopen their economies in accordance with phased reopening plans. Keeping abreast of the evolving nature of these orders and plans as the spread of the virus continues to evolve is critical to the functioning of all businesses throughout the country.
Baker McKenzie has a team in place that has been advising clients real-time on these most critical issues since the first orders were enacted. We are pleased to provide this Tracker, which identifies the relevant state-wide shelter-in-place orders and their related expiration dates, as well as the applicable state-wide reopening plans, in each of the 50 United States plus Washington, D.C. The “What’s Open” table on each page highlights the reopening status of four major sectors (office, manufacturing, retail and bars/restaurants).
In addition, the Tracker includes links to the relevant quarantine requirements or recommendations for incoming travelers in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Key developments reflected in this week’s update to the Tracker include the following:
- The Governors of Colorado, Louisiana, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington, as well as the Mayor of Washington, D.C., extended their emergency declaration orders and/or the duration of the current phase of their reopening plans.
- Connecticut and Maine moved to the next phase of their respective reopening plans.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an executive order that largely mirrors the orders previously issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, which were struck down by the Michigan Supreme Court earlier this month. The new order remains in effect until October 30, 2020.
- The Governor of Texas issued a new order that allows bars and similar establishments to open at 50% capacity if the County Judge opts in, and that allows for increased capacity at certain entertainment venues in counties with low hospitalization rates. The Governor of Washington announced updates to the state’s reopening plan that allows for more activities in some of the phases. The Governor of Wisconsin, on the other hand, issued an order that limits the size of indoor gatherings in certain places that are open to the public.
- The Governor of New York announced a “Cluster Action Initiative,” which targets clusters of high community transmission of COVID-19 for additional restrictions on non-essential gatherings, houses of worship, businesses, dining, and schools.
- The Governors of Connecticut, New Jersey and New York modified their tri-state COVID-19 travel quarantine list to add New Mexico. The tri-state list currently includes 35 states and territories.