By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
After weeks spent under stay-at-home orders designed to halt the spread of COVID-19, many states have taken the first steps toward loosening restrictions and reopening their economies.
SEMA has compiled a continuously updated state-by-state directory of closures and openings, including businesses and workers deemed essential during COVID-19. The webpage includes best practices for reopening published by government and industry. Businesses are encouraged to consult state and local law when deciding to reopen.
Below are examples of actions states have taken to reopen certain businesses while practicing safe social distancing:
- Alaska: restaurants, retail stores and nonessential businesses, including hair and nail salons, could reopen on April 24 under certain conditions.
- Colorado: retail businesses could reopen for curbside pickup on April 27 and real estate showings could resume. Personal care businesses may reopen with precautions starting on May 1.
- Georgia: gyms, hair and nail salons, bowling alleys and tattoo parlors could reopen on April 24. Restaurants could resume limited dine-in service on April 27, and movie theaters were also allowed to reopen.
- Minnesota: employees in certain agriculture, industrial (including manufacturing) and office settings could return to work on April 27.
- Mississippi: retail stores could reopen at 50% capacity on April 27.
- Montana: retail businesses could reopen with reduced capacity on April 27. Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and casinos can reopen on May 4 under reduced capacity.
- Oklahoma: restrictions were lifted on salons, barbers and pet groomers on April 24. Restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, houses of worship and sporting venues are likely to be allowed to reopen on May 1 under certain conditions.
- South Carolina: retail stores could reopen at 20% capacity starting on April 20.
- Tennessee: restaurants could reopen in 89 counties at 50% capacity on April 27. Retail stores followed on April 29.
- Texas: retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls may reopen on May 1 at 25% capacity.
For more information, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.