Updated on 20 May 2020
The Situation:
Currently, the U.S. has at least 1,571,131 confirmed cases – the highest in the world – with 362,630 of those located in New York - accounting for 7.2% of cases worldwide. Additionally, New Jersey has 151,014 cases and Illinois has 98,030 cases. Together, the top three states, New York, New Jersey and Illinois, account for 38.9% of all cases in the U.S – totaling 611,674.
There have been 361,227 recorded recoveries and 93,558 recorded deaths. On 3 May, the U.S. recorded its highest daily death toll with 2,909 deaths in 24 hours. Before 3 May, the highest death toll in 24 hours was 2,471 on 23 April
Under CDC guidelines states should report case numbers, including probable cases, and deaths, including probable deaths.
Many states’ stay-at-home/shelter-in-place orders have expired. Safer-at-home orders and phased reopening plans have been enacted in a majority of states in place of shelter-in-place orders. It is possible that states may extend or alter the guidelines. Expiratory dates and guidelines are subject to change (Please see below for updated State-by-State measures for lifting restrictions).
Travel Restrictions and Recommendations:
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure of U.S. personnel and family members from any diplomatic or consular post who have determined they are at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19. These departures may limit the ability of Embassies and consulates to provide services to citizens.
Canada and the U.S. mutually decided to close border on 18 March. As of April 18, the U.S./ Canadian Border will remain closed for an additional 30 days.
U.S. Department of State issues Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel on 19 March: The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.
On March 20, land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border were limited to “essential travel” until April 20. This was extended to May 30.
Current CDC Travel Alerts for Covid-19:
o As of April 3, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
Symptoms to Watch Out For:
Officials say the respiratory disease, is capable of spreading through human-to-human contact, droplets carried through sneezing and coughing, and germs left on inanimate objects. The virus might spread during the incubation period – which is believed to be from 1 to 14 days. Be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
High fever
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough (usually dry)
Sore throat
Chills, sometimes with repeated shaking
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle aches or pain
Diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting
Loss of smell and/or taste (uncommon
Confusion, stroke-like symptoms, and/or seizures (rare)
Pneumonia (secondary infection)
Mitigating Measures to Apply while in the US:
Monitor local authorities for updates
Avoid non-essential travel to areas where the infection is known or spreading rapidly
Travelers who return from infected areas should self-quarantine
Practice social distancing at the workplace and in public spaces
Consider work from home arrangements for employees in locations where the virus is spreading or if employees must transit through those areas
Employees who feel ill or who have flu-like, respiratory or other symptoms should consider self-quarantine and or stay at home instead of attending office or other functions
Weigh the risks of conducting large scale gatherings where the virus is located and the potential for attendees to transit through higher risk areas
Avoid contact with animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat)
Wash hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water isn’t available
Older travelers and those with underlying health issues may be at higher risk and should speak to their healthcare provider before travel
Avoid exposure to those presenting the above symptoms
Avoid populated areas and gatherings if you feel ill (if at all possible)
Allow extra time for temperature screening at airports
Seek medical care immediately if you experience symptoms and have recently traveled to the infected areas; notify your healthcare provider of your recent travel
Some airlines and airports may require use of a mask at the facility and while aboard the aircraft. Confirm with your airline current policies in place.
Confirm travel schedule is not impacted by the coronavirus (including quarantines, which may be individually-imposed, visit/visa restrictions etc.)
Ensure the validity of all visas prior to travel as this could be subject to restrictions and changes
Affected Travelers and others:
All travelers have the potential for exposure
Plans for Lifting Restrictions by State (current as of 19 May):
Alabama- Alabama's stay-at-home order expired April 30. A new ‘Safer-at-Home’ Order will go into effect at 5 p.m. on April 30 until May 22 All retail businesses can reopen with a 50 percent occupancy rate, restaurants may open with restrictions. Beaches are open and elective medical procedures can resume. Barbershops and salons will remain closed for the initial phase of re-opening. Gatherings should still be limited to 10 people, expect in a workplace.
Alaska- Alaska's stay-at-home order expired April 21. Phase 2 of Alaska’s Reopen Responsibly plan began on 8 May. Nonessential medical procedures restarted May 4. Retail stores and restaurants were allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. Personal services were allowed to reopen with a 1:1 ratio. Gyms and recreational facilities were allowed to reopen at 25%. K-12 schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Arizona- Arizona's stay-at-home order expired on May 15. Effective May 16, Arizona entered, “Stay Healthy, Return Smarter, Return Stronger.” Elective medical procedures are allowed to resume May 1 with restrictions. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 4, Retail stores my begin opening for curbside pick-up and delivery, and personal services were allowed to resume. On May 11, Dine-in services were allowed to resume.
o Navajo Nation extended the closure of their government until June 7.
Arkansas- Arkansas does not have a stay-at-home order. Gov. Hutchinson launched said he hopes to begin to ease restrictions in the state on May 4. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 4, gyms and fitness centers may open. On May 11, restaurants may begin dine-in services at reduced capacity. On May 18, indoor venues such as theaters, casinos, arenas, stadiums and auction houses may reopen at reduced capacity. On May 22, recreational pools can reopen with additional guidelines. Bars can open May 26.
California- There is no set end date for California's stay-at-home order. Some restrictions, such as masks in restaurants and bans against large gatherings, may stay in place through the summer. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Responses vary between counties. California is allied with Oregon and Washington to coordinate reopening. On May 8, California entered Stage 2 of ‘California’s Pandemic Roadmap,’ altering the state-wide stay-at-home order. This is allowing retail businesses and childcare to reopen under specific guidelines. On May 12, California certified seven counties to reopen additional businesses, including allowing dine-in restaurants, with restrictions
Colorado- Colorado’s stay-at-home order expired April 26. Social distancing measures will remain in place until further notice. On April 26, the state entered a "safer at home" phase, where residents are recommended to stay home but not required to. Small businesses and personal services were allowed to reopen. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Some localities have set their own pace for reopening and have delayed entry into the safer at home phase. Denver initiated the “Safer at home” phase on May 8.
Connecticut- Connecticut’s entered new phase of reopening on May 20. On May 20, Outdoor restaurant services, retail businesses, offices, personal services, outdoor zoos and museums, and outdoor recreation was allowed to resume. Connecticut is allied with Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island in a multistate effort to coordinate reopening.
Delaware- Delaware's stay-at-home order lasts until May 15. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Phase one of Delaware reopening is scheduled for June 1. On May 20, retail businesses may reopen for appointments, and restaurants may increase their outdoor capacity. On May 22, beaches may reopen to Delaware residents and non-residents that have quarantined for 14-days.
District of Columbia- The city's stay-at-home order extended to June 8. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 15, educational and academic retail shops may seek waivers to reopen for curbside and pickup.
Florida- Florida’s stay-at-home order expired April 30. On April 17, Beaches reopened for “essential activities” in parts of the state. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Gov. DeSantis will be beginning a reopening plan called ‘Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step’ through executive order. On May 4, restaurants and retail stores will be allowed to reopen at 25% capacity and social distancing. Elective surgeries will be allowed to resume. On May 11, personal-care services were allowed to reopen in most of the state with limited capacity. On May 18, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties were allowed to reopen personal-care services, retail stores and restaurants at 25% capacity and gyms could reopen statewide at 50% capacity.
Georgia- Georgia’s stay-at-home order expired April 30, however, older persons and the chronically ill, must remain sheltered-in-place through June 12. On April 24, some businesses, including gyms and hair salons are allowed to reopen and elective surgeries may resume. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Bars, nightclubs, swimming pools and amusement parks will be closed through May 31.
Hawaii- Hawaii’s safer-at-home order is set to expire May 31. Beaches will be reopened for exercise and elective surgeries may resume. On May 7, select non-essential businesses were allowed to reopen. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Idaho- Idaho’s stay-at-home order expired April 30. Some churches and nonessential businesses may reopen on May 1 with strict distancing rules. All school reopening decisions belong to the State Board of Education. On May 16, the state entered its second stage of reopening, allowing personal-care services, gyms and restaurant dine-in services to open under restrictions.
Illinois- Illinois's stay-at-home order was extended until May 30. Gov Pritzker is coordinating reopening the state with the governors of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. On May 1, some businesses were allowed to reopen for curbside pickup or delivery. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Indiana- Indiana's stay-at-home order expired May 1. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 4, non-essential retail businesses were allowed to open at 50% capacity. On May 11, restaurants and personal care services may be allowed to reopen.
Iowa- Iowa had the equivalent of a stay-at-home order until April 30. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 1, restaurants, fitness centers, malls, and several other business categories in 77 of Iowa's 99 counties may reopen at 50% capacity. On May 15, the remaining 22 counties were allowed to reopen gyms, restaurant dine-services and personal.
Kansas- Kansas’s stay-at-home order expired May 3. Non-essential retailers and restaurants were allowed to open on May 4. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 18, personal-care businesses and gyms were allowed to open.
Kentucky- Kentucky’s "Healthy at Home" order has no set end date. Gov. Beshear recommended schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 20, churches may open for services and retail stores can reopen at reduced capacity. On May 22, restaurants will be allowed to reopen with 33% capacity. On June 1, movie theaters and fitness centers may reopen. On June 11, campground may reopen and on June 15, childcare may resume with reduced capacity.
Louisiana- Louisiana's stay-at-home order expired May 15. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Restaurants are now allowed to open outdoor seating areas, with no table-side services. Shopping malls were allowed to reopen for curbside services. On May 15, places of worship, personal-care services, gyms, theaters and restaurants were allowed to reopen with restrictions. State parks could also reopen for residents.
Maine- Maine’s stay-at-home order was extended to May 31. Gov. Mills is planning a "phased-in" reopening. Some state parks, carwashes, and personal services will be able to open on 1 May. Drive-in theaters, vehicle religious services, and golf will be allowed. On May 11, rural retail store, and Gyms may resume outdoor classes. On May 18, restaurant dine-in services in rural areas began opening with restrictions.
Maryland- Maryland have no set end date for its stay-at-home order or its executive order to wear face coverings in any retail business or on public transportation. Schools are closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 7, some beaches were allowed to reopen for outdoor exercise and fishing- with restrictions. Boating, hunting, camping, and horse-back riding are also allowed. On May 15, some small shops and all religious organizations were allowed to open at 50% capacity. Several jurisdictions plan to keep restrictions in place.
Massachusetts- Massachusetts’ stay-at-home advisory was expired May 18. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Daycares are closed until the end of June. The stay-at-home advisory became a safer-at-home advisory on May 18. Construction and manufacturing industries were allowed to resume operations, and places of worship could reopen. On May 25, beaches, drive-in movie theaters and personal-care services will be allowed to open, and retail stores will be allowed to offer curbside pickup.
Michigan- Michigan’s stay-at-home was extended to May 28. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Lawn service companies, landscapers, plant nurseries and bike repair shops may reopen but must follow social distancing rules. On May 22, businesses and restaurants in northern Michigan may reopen at reduced capacity.
Minnesota- Minnesota’s stay-at-home order expired May 18. On April 18, recreational activities, including golfing, boating, fishing, hunting and hiking were allowed to restart. On May 4, retail business may open for curbside pickup and delivery. On May 18, retail stores and malls were allowed to reopen. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Mississippi- Mississippi's stay-at-home order expired April 27. The state entered a ‘Safer-at-home’ order effective until May 25. Retail stores may reopen at half capacity. On May 8, gyms and personal services were allowed to reopen with restrictions. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Missouri- Missouri's stay-at-home order expired May 3. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Effective May 4, all businesses were allowed to reopen- while following social distancing guidelines. Some local governments are choosing to keep stricter rules in place.
Montana- Montana’s stay-at-home order expired April 24. Gov. Bullock announced a phased reopening starting April 26. On May 4, restaurants, bars, and casinos were allowed to reopen (with reduced capacity). On May 7, schools were allowed to reopen- at the discretion of the local districts. On May 15, movie theaters, gyms and museums were allowed to reopen.
Nebraska- Nebraska does not have a stay-at-home order. On May 4, restaurants, personal- care services, and day cares were allowed to reopen at lower capacities. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Nevada- Nevada's stay-at-home order ends was extended to May 15. As of May 1, all retail businesses, will be allowed to operate under a “curbside commerce model”
New Hampshire- New Hampshire's governor issued a stay-at-home 2.0 order that expires May 31. On May 1, state parks and campgrounds may open. On May 4, hospitals may relax restrictions on elective procedures. On May 11, retail stores may reopen at 50% capacity, personal services may reopen with restrictions, golf courses with restrictions and drive-in theaters may reopen. On May 18, restaurants will be allowed to open at reduced capacity. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
New Jersey- New Jersey's stay-at-home order does not have an end date. Schools in the state are closed until May 15. On May 2, state parks and golf courses were allowed to open.
New Mexico- New Mexico’s stay-at-home order expired May 15. On May 1, retailers were allowed to reopen for curbside service. Pet services were allowed to reopen . Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 16, retailers were allowed to operate at 25% capacity.
New York- New York’s stay-at-home order lasts until May 15. Schools are also closed through the rest of the school year and cancelled nonessential events through June. On May 15, including landscaping, outdoor recreational activities, retail businesses for pickup and drive-in movie theaters were allowed to open.
North Carolina- North Carolina's stay-at-home order expires May 8. Gov. Cooper is planning to extend the order to May 22, while loosening restrictions under a 3-phase plan. Nonessential retail businesses were allowed to reopen at 50% capacity and childcare facilities were allowed to reopen. Schools are closed through the rest of the academic year.
North Dakota- North Dakota does not have a stay-at-home order. Nonessential businesses are closed in the state through April 30. On May 1, all businesses were allowed to reopen with restrictions. Schools are closed “until further notice” but school facilities are allowed to reopen for some activities in May.
Ohio- Ohio’s stay-at-home order was extended to May 29. Gov. DeWine says the state will begin to reopen with a “phased-in” approach. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 1, Health procedures that don't require an overnight stay can begin. On May 4, general office spaces, distribution centers, manufacturing centers and construction can continue. On May 12, consumers, retail and services can reopen. On May 15, personal-care services, dine-in restaurants, and bars opened with restrictions.
Oklahoma- Oklahoma’s “safer-at-home” order expired May 6. On April 24, previously suspended elective surgeries resumed, state parks opened, and hair and nail salons were allowed to reopen. On May 1, bars and gatherings with more than ten people were allowed. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Oregon- Oregon’s stay-at-home order does not have an end date. On May 1, "non-urgent" medical procedures may restart. On May 6, some state parks and outdoor recreation sites began to open. On May 15, some retailers could reopen statewide. Approved counties can begin opening bars and restaurants for dine-in services, gyms, and personal-care businesses such as salons and barbershops with additional restrictions. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Pennsylvania- Pennsylvania's stay-at-home order expires May 8 for 24 counties in the northcentral and northwestern areas of the state. On May 15, 13 more counties moved from the red to the yellow reopening phase. Gov. Wolf has plans to ease restrictions starting on construction, curbside alcohol pickup and vehicle sales. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Rhode Island- Rhode Island's stay-at-home order expired May 8. Schools are closed for the remainder of the academic year. Non-essential retail businesses may reopen with limited capacity, non-critical medical appointments may resume, and state parks may reopen. On May 18, restaurants were allowed to open outdoor dining with restrictions.
South Carolina- South Carolina's "state of emergency" order closing all nonessential businesses way extended to May 15. On April 20, some public beaches and retail stores were allowed to reopen with limited capacity. On May 11, dine-in restaurants were allowed to open at 50% capacity. On May 18, gyms and fitness centers may reopen and offer group classes, pools can reopen, and personal-care services can reopen with additional guidelines. Public schools are closed through the remainder of the academic year.
South Dakota- South Dakota does not have a stay-at-home order. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Tennessee- Tennessee's stay-at-home order expired April 30. The state entered a ‘Safer-At-Home’ order effective as of April 29 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m., May 29. Gov. Lee stated that many businesses would be allowed to re-open on May 1. On April 24, state parks and dine-in restaurants were allowed to reopen at reduced capacity. On May 1, Gyms could also reopen at 50% capacity. On May 6, personal services could reopen. Decisions to reopen schools belongs to individual districts.
Texas- Texas’s stay-at-home order ended April 30. On April 20, state parks reopened. On April 24, stores may start offering “retail to go”. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Retail stores, malls, restaurants, libraries, museums, and theaters to will be allowed to reopen May 1 but with limited occupancy to 25%. On May 8, personal-care services could reopen, and restaurants are allowed to offer dine-in services at 25% capacity. On May 18, gyms and exercise facilities were allowed to reopen at 25% capacity. On May 22, the state will enter its second phase of reopening. Bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls and rodeo halls will be allowed to open with restrictions. On June 1, in-person summer school classes will be able to resume with restrictions.
Utah- Utah’s equivalent of a stay-at-home order expired May 1. Gov. Herbert issued an order under ‘moderate’ risk in effect from May 1 to May 16. He plans reopen the state in three phases starting at the beginning of May with sit-down dining, gyms and elective surgeries. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Vermont- Vermont’s stay-at-home order ends May 15. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On April 20, "low contact" businesses were allowed to begin reopening with a two-person staff. On April 27, outdoor businesses, construction operations and recreation maintenance work were allowed to resume. On May 18, retail businesses were allowed to reopen with restrictions.
Virginia- Virginia's stay-at-home order expires May 8. On May 15, nonessential retail may open at 50% capacity, restaurants may allow outdoor dining, and personal-care services could offer appointments. K-12 Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Some Northern Virginia regions are choosing to delay the ease of restrictions to May 28.
Washington- Washington’s stay-at-home order was extended to May 31. Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. On May 5, golfing, fishing, hunting, and use state parks and public lands may resume. On May 11, eight counties entered phase two. Restaurants in those communities may reopen if they meet specific guidelines.
West Virginia- West Virginia’s stay-at-home order expired May 4, a Safer-at-Home order was issued in its place. Some businesses have been allowed to reopen but are not required to. On May 15, outdoor fishing can resume with restrictions. On May 21, restaurants can offer indoor dining at 50% capacity, indoor shopping malls and state park campgrounds may open. On May 26, bars may reopen at 50% capacity, and zoos can reopen. On June 5, casinos can reopen with restrictions. Schools remain closed the remainder of the academic year.
Wisconsin- Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order expires May 26. On April 29, businesses that do not require customer contact was allowed to resume, outdoor recreation rentals may resume, and non-essential retail may open for curbside service. On May 1, the governor reopened 34 state parks and forests. On May 11, retail stores were allowed to reopen with restrictions. K-12 Schools are to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.
Wyoming- Wyoming does not have a stay-at-home order. Orders prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more, closing schools have been extended to May 15. On May 1, Gyms, barber shops, hair salons and other personal care services will be allowed to open, with restrictions. On May 15, movie theaters and performance venues may reopen with capacity limits, gyms were allowed to open locker rooms, and restaurants were allowed to reopen for indoor and outdoor dining. On May 18, National parks were allowed to reopen.
DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless
Disclaimer: LSDS™ gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDS™ (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.