The state of Texas on May 1 began reopening businesses that have been closed for more than a month in parts, with restaurants, retail stores and shopping centers allowed to reopen at 25% capacity.
The number of customers `was only a fraction of what we usually see on a Friday, but compared to the past few months it was better than no one at all,` said Omid Rafiei, owner of Wakefield Crow bar in Houston, which only opened
`I feel comfortable with the rules we have in place,` Rafiei added, mentioning that employees must wear masks and tables must be spaced apart.
Staff at a dental facility in Columbus, Ohio, checked customers’ body temperatures when reopening on May 1.
Across Texas, major companies are planning to bring employees back to the office.
`Some employees are eager to return to the office,` said ConocoPhillips spokesman John Roper.
Georgia is further along the path to reopening its economy, with nearly every business now open again.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Donald Trump’s top epidemiological advisor, earlier this week expressed concern about states and communities reopening before the deadline recommended by the White House.
`We need to reopen,` Mr. Bowers, 55, said of the small business his grandfather founded in the 1940s. `We can’t live closed. We need money, otherwise we
A clothing store reopened in Houston, Texas on May 1.
About half of US states are gradually lifting lockdown orders as the number of new nCoV infections begins to decline or stabilize.
By May 1, the number of nCoV infections across the US had increased to more than 1 million, of which nearly 65,000 people died.
`The governor of Michigan should give in a little and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back, safely! Meet them, talk to them, give
In California, where shutdown and stay-at-home orders remain in place, Governor Gavin Newsom first said the state was only days away from lifting some restrictions but asked people to take it seriously during the period
Meanwhile, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York state, the epicenter of the US epidemic, said all schools, colleges and universities will continue to close for the rest of the school year.
Washington state has extended its blockade until May 31.