The global coronavirus pandemic has forced countries around the world to shut down nearly all economic activity. The United States, the largest economy in the world, had a lot to lose by doing the same, and it has. However, the economy has to reopen eventually, and many states are already beginning to make plans.
As of mid-April, it appears as though many states are going to start reopening as early as April 30th. But that’s not true for all states, especially for those that have been harder hit.
Let’s break down what Americans can expect in some of the most populated parts of the country.
The Pressure to Reopen
Despite the CDC stating that it could take 18 months for Coronavirus to die down, there’s enormous economic pressure for businesses to reopen. Governors are working together to create plans that would reopen their states in phases rather than altogether. While it’s not known what exactly these phases would look like, it’s likely that it would take some time for non-essential businesses to reopen, and for individuals to be able to move around their towns freely.
Some believe that COVID-19 could die down around the summer and come back in full force around fall. These concerns mean that not only does reopening need to be staggered, but companies need to be aware that they may be called upon to quarantine again in the future. Small businesses, in particular, are bearing the brunt of the damage, and many may not be able to stay open for long.
A Direct Look at the States
New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, and Texas have been among the hardest hit. Let’s take a look at some of their plans for reopening their states.
- New York currently has a stay-at-home until at least May 15, and does not know when it could reopen.
- New Jersey has a stay-at-home order that operates indefinitely; there is no known end date. There’s a coalition with New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, to coordinate the reopening of their economies.
- California has another stay-at-home order with no end date. They have discussed that they will stay closed regardless of economic pressures.
- Florida’s stay-at-home order expires on April 30. The Governor is considering reopening schools.
Thus, the hardest hit are staying closed until at least the 29th, but they may stay closed beyond that. Meanwhile, states like Alaska have had extremely minimal cases and are starting their paths toward reopening.
- Alaska plans to be reopened as early as the week of April 20th.
- Idaho is hoping to have businesses reopening by the end of the month.
- Indiana’s stay-at-home order expires on April 20th, and it may soon see looser restrictions.
- Mississippi is interested in reopening as quickly as possible, but schools will remain closed until the end of the semester.
- Oklahoma’s Governor has plans to reopen the economy as early as April 30th, however, expects to ease into it.
Every state is going to need to look at their reopening plan on a case-by-case basis, because the virus has impacted some states drastically and some states virtually not at all. And, of course, the situation is constantly evolving.
