Georgia

Georgia is the earliest state to reopen businesses. Gov. Brian Kemp announced businesses can reopen with minimum basic operations this Friday, April 24. These businesses include: gyms, bowling alleys, body art studios, hair salons, nail care, estheticians, and training schools.

On April 27, by following specific social distancing and sanitation mandates, restaurants with dine-in services, movie theaters, and private social clubs will also be allowed to reopen.

Bars, nightclubs, amusement park rides, and live performance venues will remain closed. The shelter-in-place mandate in place for most Georgians is set to expire April 30.

Alabama

Alabama’s stay-at-home order is also set to expire on April 30. Gov. Kay Ivey said she plans to follow Alabama’s state task force recommendations. The first businesses to open on May 1 will be small retailers, restaurants, and other businesses that operate with protective measures in place.

Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis is reopening Florida under the same guidelines as Alabama. However, on April 17, DeSantis opened the state’s beaches. Floridians are allowed to enjoy their beaches so long as they abide by the state’s social distancing guidelines.

Tennessee

Gov. Bill Lee said his stay-at-home order will not be extended past April 30, and that some businesses around the state will begin reopening next week, although he has not specified which type of businesses are in the clear yet.

Texas

On April 17, Gov. Greg Abbott announced state parks would reopen for day-use only on Monday, April 20. Stores that offer “retail to-go” can reopen as early as April 24. Abbott also announced the Strike Force to Open Texas, a team of nationally recognized medical experts and private and public leaders who will provide guidance to the governor on how to safely reopen Texas.

(From The Federalist, 20 April 2020)