Every State’s Rules for Reopening and Social Distancing

Schools in Alabama were allowed to reopen on June 1 and people need to maintain 6 feet social distancing. Employees at educational institutions are required to wear masks. These conditions will remain in place until July 3 at the earliest. Until July 3, Alabama is under a Safer at Home Order, which allows restaurants to offer food for takeout or delivery and maintain 6-foot social distancing protocols.

Starting on June 5, travelers arriving into Alaska from another state or country must follow new protocols: completing a traveler declaration form; presenting results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours; or taking a test upon arrival and self-quarantine until results are known. Travelers can only use road or maritime highways, and travel to remote areas is restricted to essential travel. All travelers are urged to wash hands often and wipe down surfaces, practice social distancing of 6 feet, and wearing a mask indoors.

The Arizona Department of Education on June 1 released guidance for schools to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. The reopening roadmap does not mandate requirements but instead offers a number of suggestions: that schools operate on intermittent schedules; that students be checked for temperatures; that schools consider reducing sizes; and possibly requiring students to wear masks.

Arkansas was one of a handful of states to never issue a statewide stay-at-home order, but nonessential businesses were closed for a period. Establishments like gyms and barbershops began reopening in early May. Since May 11, restaurants have resumed dine-in services but with limitations — they can only seat a third of their total capacity. If cases in the state continue to decline, restaurants will be able to operate at two-thirds capacity. High school and community sports teams were allowed to resume practice events starting June 1, under strict measures. Gov. Asa Hutchinson postponed in-person graduation ceremonies until at least July 1.

A stay-at-home order, which has no set end date, is still in effect, though some restrictions are being lifted. The state is reopening at the county level — with counties that meet specific criteria allowed to lift certain restrictions. An increase in COVID-19 cases in early June may delay reopening in certain counties.

California is currently in Phase 2 of its four-phase reopening, which started on May 8. This phase allows lower-risk businesses to reopen. In the later stage of Phase 2, retail, museums, and dine-in eateries were allowed to reopen with social distancing protocols. No date has been set for Phase 3, when higher-risk venues can reopen.