The next 72 hours

What is changing in the next 72 hours?

• Minnesota (divided government): The Governor’s office confirmed to reporters that Gov. Tim Walz (D) would make a decision on whether to extend coronavirus restrictions on Monday, Dec. 14.

• Pennsylvania (divided government): Gov. Tom Wolf (D) announced new statewide mitigation measures scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 12. Indoor dining will be prohibited, indoor fitness and entertainment operations will have to close, indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people or fewer, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 50 people or fewer. Outdoor dining and fitness activities will still be allowed, and churches are exempt from the gathering limit. The new restrictions are scheduled to last until 8 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2021.

• Virginia (Democratic trifecta): On Thursday, Dec. 10, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced a statewide curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. The curfew is scheduled to take effect on Monday, Dec. 14. Northam also lowered the limit on gatherings from 25 to 10 and restricted outdoor sport spectators to two guests per player and 25 per field for indoor sports. Churches will be exempt from the gathering limits.

Since our last edition

What rules and restrictions are changing in each state? For a continually updated article, click here.

• Alaska (divided government): Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R) announced he will extend the state’s coronavirus emergency order no later than Dec. 14. The new order will be effective Dec. 16, 2020, until Jan. 15, 2021.

• Delaware (Democratic trifecta): Gov. John Carney (D) formally issued an updated mask order that will require individuals to wear a face-covering anytime they are indoors with a member of another household. All businesses that are open to the public will be limited to 30% capacity. Retailers larger than 100,000 square feet will be limited to 20% capacity. Restaurants and bars will have to close nightly for dine-in service at 10 p.m.  Carney also announced a stay-at-home advisory that encourages residents to avoid all non-workplace gatherings with individuals outside of a person’s household. The restrictions will be effective between Dec. 14 and Jan. 11.

• Michigan (divided government): On Thursday, Dec. 10, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) announced that small businesses that rely on indoor dining can postpone paying monthly sales, use, and withholding taxes for 31 days without incurring interest or penalties. 

• Ohio (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Dec. 10, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced he was extending the statewide curfew through Jan. 2, 2021. 
  
• Oklahoma (Republican trifecta): On Thursday, Dec. 10, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issued an updated executive order restricting public gatherings to 50% capacity and limiting youth indoor sporting events to four spectators per player or 50% of the facility’s capacity, whichever is less. The order also extends a requirement that restaurants and bars close to indoor dining by 11 p.m.