Government officials across the country are easing up, or preparing to ease up, on the stringent business closures and stay at home orders that helped the nation successfully slow the spread of COVID-19. Each jurisdiction will emerge from this collective state of suspended animation by implementing different measures, and on different timetables.
In many instances, businesses can expect two types of guidance from their governors and public health officials: (1) overarching framework materials, setting forth various phases of the anticipated reopening process and identifying criteria for advancement through the recovery period; and (2) more specific orders that supersede prior closure directives and permit particular operations to resume on certain dates and under certain conditions. Employers can also expect that these materials will establish new health and safety protocols for the workplace—such as mandatory health screenings and face coverings—that may remain in place for the foreseeable future. Indeed, many reopening plans include multiple mitigation steps, such as limits on occupancy, sanitation and physical distancing requirements, and new posting duties.
The chart below provides links to reopening plans and orders that have been issued thus far, at the statewide level. Employers should bear in mind that these materials typically offer detailed instructions for reopening, which often vary by industry. As a result, it is important to review each order along with any accompanying official guidance to get a complete picture of all requirements and how they may impact each employer’s operations. We will update this list regularly but expect it will become outdated quickly as new announcements are made.
Note that this chart does not cover orders or guidance issued at the local level. Employers should monitor news outlets and consult with counsel for details on additional orders that may apply to their operations.
Jurisdiction
|
Reopening Framework Materials
|
Specific Orders, Guidance
|
Last Updated
|
Federal
|
Opening Up America Again
|
N/A
|
4/23/20
|
Alabama
|
Reopening Alabama Responsibly (Phase One)
|
Safer at Home Order
|
4/28/20
|
Alaska
|
Reopen Alaska Responsibly
|
Health Mandate 016 (Phase 1-A, with attachments)
|
4/25/20
|
Arizona
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Arkansas
|
N/A
|
Health Directive on Resuming Restaurant Dine-in Operations (4/29/20)
|
4/29/20
|
California
|
Roadmap to Modify the Stay-at-Home Order
|
Updated announcement of four-staged plan
|
4/28/20
|
Colorado
|
#DoingMyPartCO
|
Executive Order D 2020-044 (Safer at Home)
Public Health Order 20-28 (Safer at Home)
|
4/27/20
|
Connecticut
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Delaware
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
District of Columbia
|
ReOpen DC
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Florida
|
Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step
|
Phase 1 to begin May 4; official order forthcoming
|
4/29/20
|
Georgia
|
N/A
|
Executive Order (4.20.20.01, minimum operations)
Executive Order (4.23.20.02, Reviving a Healthy Georgia)
Executive Order (4.27.20.01, guidance for food service, bowling alleys, theaters)
|
4/28/20
|
Hawaii
|
Economic and Community Recovery & Resiliency Plan
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Idaho
|
Idaho Rebounds
|
N/A
|
4/23/20
|
Illinois
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Indiana
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Iowa
|
N/A
|
Proclamation (4/27/20)
|
4/28/20
|
Kansas
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Kentucky
|
Healthy at Work
|
Press Release (4/29/20, outlining initial reopening)
Healthy at Work: 10 Rules to Reopening
|
4/29/20
|
Louisiana
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Maine
|
Restarting Maine’s Economy
|
Press Release (4/28/20) (order forthcoming)
|
4/28/20
|
Maryland
|
Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Massachusetts
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Michigan
|
N/A
|
Executive Order 2020-59 (4/24/20)
Executive Order 2020-60 (food seller protocols)
|
4/28/20
|
Minnesota
|
Safely Returning to Work
|
Executive Order 20-40 (4/23/20)
|
4/23/20
|
Mississippi
|
N/A
|
Executive Order 1477 (4/24/20)
|
4/24/20
|
Missouri
|
Show Me Strong Recovery Plan
|
Health Mandate (4/27/20)
Phase 1 Guidelines and FAQs
|
4/28/20
|
Montana
|
N/A
|
Phased Reopening Directive (4/22/20)
|
4/28/20
|
Nebraska
|
N/A
|
Announcement re: New Directed Health Measures
|
4/24/20
|
Nevada
|
Framework Announcement (further details expected 4/30/20)
|
N/A
|
4/27/20
|
New Hampshire
|
Economic Re-Opening Task Force Roadmap
|
N/A
|
4/21/20
|
New Jersey
|
The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health
|
N/A
|
4/27/20
|
New Mexico
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
New York
|
New York Forward
Framework Announcement
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
North Carolina
|
Staying Ahead of the Curve
|
N/A
|
4/23/20
|
North Dakota
|
ND Smart Restart
|
Executive Order 2020-06.4 (4/29/20)
ND Smart Restart Protocols
|
4/29/20
|
Ohio
|
Responsible Restart Ohio
|
Sector-Specific Operating Requirements
|
4/28/20
|
Oklahoma
|
Open Up and Recovery Safely (OURS) Plan
|
Executive Order 2020-13 (4th am.) (4/24/20)
OURS Plan Industry Guidance
|
4/28/20
|
Oregon
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Pennsylvania
|
Plan for Pennsylvania
Process to Reopen Pennsylvania
|
Construction Industry Guidance (4/23/20)
|
4/25/20
|
Puerto Rico
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
4/28/20
|
Rhode Island
|
Reopening RI
|
N/A
|
4/27/20
|
South Carolina
|
accelerateSC
|
Executive Order 2020-28 (4/20/20)
|
4/28/20
|
South Dakota
|
Back to Normal Plan
|
Executive Order 2020-20 (4/28/20)
|
4/28/20
|
Tennessee
|
Tennessee Pledge: Reopening Tennessee
|
Executive Order 30 (4/28/20)
Tennessee Pledge Guidelines
|
4/28/20
|
Texas
|
Strike Force to Open Texas
Governor’s Report (4/27/20)
|
Executive Order GA-17 (Strike Force)
Executive Order GA-18 (4/27/20, reopening)
Health Protocols
|
4/28/20
|
Utah
|
Utah Leads Together
Utah Leads Together 2.0 Report
|
Utah Leads Together 2.0 Phased Health Guidelines
“Moderate Phase” Announcement (4/25/20)
|
4/28/20
|
Vermont
|
RestartVT
|
Addendum 10 to Executive Order 01-20 (4/17/20; Phase I)
Addendum 11 to Executive Order 01-20 (4/24/20; Phase II)
Health Guidance from Agency of Commerce and Community Development
|
4/28/20
|
Virginia
|
Forward Virginia
Forward Virginia Announcement
|
N/A
|
4/24/20
|
Washington
|
Washington’s Recovery Plan – Policy Brief
|
Construction Guidance (4/24/20)
Addendum - Construction Guidance and FAQs (4/29/20)
|
4/29/20
|
West Virginia
|
West Virginia Strong – The Comeback
|
Guidance for West Virginia Businesses
|
4/28/20
|
Wisconsin
|
Badger Bounce Back Plan
Plan in Brief
Health Services Page
|
Emergency Order #28 (4/16/20, Safer at Home)
Emergency Order #31 (4/20/20, Badger Bounce Back)
Emergency Order #34 (4/24/20) and FAQs
|
4/28/20
|
Wyoming
|
Transition Plan for a Healthy Wyoming
|
Announcement re: Gyms, Personal Care Services and Relevant Orders
|
4/28/20
|
Because the COVID-19 situation is dynamic, with new governmental measures each day, employers should consult with counsel for the latest developments and updated general and industry-specific guidance.