A number of states yesterday outlined their phased reopening plans as the first steps to ease coronavirus-related restrictions on citizens and businesses.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom said the reopening of retail businesses and schools is “weeks away”. The state is currently at Stage 1, staying home and working on flattening the curve. Stage 2 will involve lifting restrictions on some lower-risk workplaces, such as retail, manufacturing, and offices where telework is not possible, and also reopening child care centers.
“We are not going back to the way things were until we get to immunity or a vaccine. We will base reopening plans on facts and data, not on ideology. Not what we want. Not what we hope.”
– California Governor Gavin Newsom
Newsom suggested restarting school in late July or early August, saying that “the prospects of an earlier school year are warranted considering the prospect of neglecting our next generation,” and that parks and trails may reopen soon. Stage 3, that will encompass personal care businesses like gyms, spas and salons, sports without live audiences, in-person religious services and other businesses where workers come in close contact with customers, is months, not weeks away.
The final phase, Stage 4, where we see life return to normal, will only come “once therapeutics have been developed,” Newsom Tweeted. California has had 45,031 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 1,809 deaths.
Closed since March 17th, Utah will allow the reopening of dine-in restaurants, gyms, barbershops and nail salons at the end of the week. Gatherings up to 20-people will be also be permitted. Schools and church services are to remain closed.
“Some people think we’re trying to get to a zero-risk situation. That’s not true… Life has risk. We’re trying to manage the risk to tolerable levels that will let us go back and re-open the economy and yet protect people’s health.”
– Utah Governor Gary Herbert
Utah has had 4,343 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 45 deaths.
In Wyoming, Governor Mark Gordon was positive about the future and will be allowing hair salons, gyms, and tattoo parlors to reopen this Friday, the first step in his plan to ease coronavirus-related restrictions on businesses.
“Wyoming is one of the top four states poised to lead this nation back to recovery,”
– Governor Mark Gordon
The amendments to the health order set to expire Thursday will come into effect Friday, through May 15th. Social distancing measures will still be in place, for example gyms will be limited to the number of people in the building, locker rooms will be closed, and staff must wear masks.
The amended order will also allow restaurants to begin doing takeout orders again, rather than curbside ones, for five people at a time. Gordon acknowledged that restaurant owners are waiting for the go-ahead to offer table service, which would allow them to rehire workers they had to lay off.
Wyoming has had 396 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 7 deaths.
Already got an advertisement from a company I stayed with once encouraging me to travel there for vacation. Disgusting.