These state, local, and federal measures taken by the president cover a range of issues, including trade restrictions, gathering restrictions, corporate financing, mask orders, and vaccination schedules. Each jurisdiction is on a different timeline with different restrictions, and our resource compiles this important information into an easily accessible page. Under the old plan for a safer economy, each California county was assigned a level of risk. Depending on their positivity rate, adjusted case rate, and/or measure of health equity (for counties with populations greater than 106,000), counties faced different activity and capacity constraints. The status of the week was displayed on a map with four level colors: purple, red, orange and yellow. The COVID-19 situation is fluid and rapidly evolving at all levels of government. New ordinances, regulations, restrictions, and guidelines are issued daily by federal, state, and local governments. Husch Blackwell LLP assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or currency of the information contained herein. You should consult directly with a lawyer about the latest developments.
See Vaccination rules for the latest resources. Learn how level restrictions were assigned and changed, along with historical county data, in the CRPD Blueprint Data Archive. • Rhode Island: Full reopening. Governor Dan McKee (D) announced new temporary COVID-19 restrictions due to an increase in cases. Restaurants, retail stores and other indoor spaces with a capacity of 250 people or more must require staff and guests to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. In indoor spaces with a capacity of 250 people or less, people must wear a mask or present proof of vaccination. Office workers must also require masks or proof of vaccination. Earlier, the Health Ministry ordered that all health care workers be vaccinated by Oct. 1, unless they were medically exempt. On September 2, McKee signed an executive order requiring anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 to quarantine. Vaccinated individuals who come into known close contact with someone diagnosed with the coronavirus must undergo testing requirements or wear a mask for 14 days.
If the person is not vaccinated, they must undergo quarantine and testing requirements. • Hawaii: An executive order signed by Governor David Ige (D) in November reinstating gathering and capacity restrictions has expired. Ige announced that each district can implement its own rules. In Hawaii County, for example, indoor social gatherings of more than 25 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited. Previously, Ige had dropped quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated U.S. travelers. Visitors who come to Hawaii from abroad and have been fully vaccinated for two weeks can bypass the requirements. Otherwise, visitors must either present a negative COVID-19 test result received within 72 hours of travel or quarantine for 10 days. The Public Health Ordinance, which comes into force on 15 June, replaces all previous health orders. The ordinance has limited restrictions that only affect mask wearing and mega-events, as well as facilities for children and teens. • Connecticut: Governor Ned Lamont (D) lifted most trade restrictions on May 19. It extended an order requiring unvaccinated people to wear masks in indoor public spaces until February 15, 2022.
New Haven Mayor Justin Jacker has ordered people to wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are mandatory in private indoor spaces and workplaces where social distancing cannot be maintained. On September 10, Lamont signed a decree mandating COVID-19 vaccines for state employees. Workers had to be vaccinated by September 27. Some employees may be able to forego the vaccine and opt for weekly testing. In certain circumstances, people with a health condition or sincere religious beliefs may be exempt. On June 30, 2021, Governor Kate Brown repealed Executive Order 20-66 and numerous other executive orders directing the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to issue binding guidance for various sectors of the state regarding COVID-19 restrictions. Husch Blackwell has developed this resource center to monitor and update COVID-19 rules, restrictions, orders and policies affecting businesses across the country to ensure our customers can continue to operate as efficiently as possible. • Georgia: Full reopening.
On August 19, Gov. Brian Kemp (right) signed an executive order prohibiting local governments from imposing COVID-19 restrictions on private businesses, such as mandatory vaccination and masks. Companies can – but are not required – to follow local regulations. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) lifted the mask requirement indoors in November, but reinstated it on Dec. 21. The mandate orders people 10 years of age and older to wear a mask in indoor public spaces. Earlier, Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II (D) signed an executive order requiring anyone over the age of 10 to wear a mask when staying in government buildings, hospitals and daycares, among others. When a state is listed as fully reopened, it means businesses no longer have to comply with capacity limits or curfews. Most public and private gatherings of any size are allowed (large indoor venues may still be subject to restrictions). Domestic travelers are free to visit the state without quarantine or prove a negative COVID-19 test. Minimum restrictions may still apply in certain contexts.
For example, masks or social distancing may still be required in nursing homes. Many states have adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on masks. The CDC updated its mask policy on July 27 to indicate that fully vaccinated people should wear masks in indoor public spaces in areas where COVID-19 transmission is high or high. Unvaccinated people should consider wearing a mask in all indoor public spaces, regardless of the level of transmission in the area. Local government agencies or private companies may still have restrictions. Employers have a responsibility to ensure a safe work environment. See state rules and standards to support this. Companies must continue to comply with all applicable federal or state laws, rules, and regulations, as well as local ordinances. Air passengers who are at least 2 years old and traveling to the U.S. from another country must provide a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation attesting to their recovery from COVID-19 before boarding their flight.
Regardless of vaccination status, passengers aged 2 years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 virus test result from a sample taken no later than 1 day prior to travel. Passengers may also submit documentation showing that they have tested positive for COVID-19 on a sample taken within the last 90 days and have been allowed to travel (reinstatement documentation). Starting July 26, St. Louis City Health Services and the county that people ages 5 and older wear masks in indoor public spaces and when using public transportation. • Texas: Full reopening. Governor Greg Abbott (R) has signed an executive order prohibiting state and local government agencies from issuing vaccination warrants. Abbott made an exception for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and long-term care facilities. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (R) has asked city employees to wear masks on city grounds, where social distancing is difficult to maintain.