Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: December 23, 2020

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Ballotpedia staff
Documenting America's Path to Recovery by Ballotpedia

Since our last edition

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

  • Louisiana (divided government): Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) extended the state’s modified Phase 2 reopening through Jan. 13, 2021. The modified phase limits restaurants, retailers, gyms, personal care businesses, and movie theaters to 50% capacity. Bars must close indoor service if their parish has a positivity rate greater than 5%. Bars that are permitted to open are limited to 25% capacity. All indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to the lesser of 25% capacity or a maximum of 75 people indoors or 150 people outdoors.
  • Massachusetts (divided government): On Tuesday, Dec. 22, Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced a series of new coronavirus restrictions, including a 10-person limit on indoor gatherings and a 25-person limit on outdoor gatherings. Additionally, most businesses, including restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, offices, and venues, must limit capacity to 25%. The new restrictions take effect Dec. 26 and last through Jan. 8, 2021.  
  • Mississippi (Republican trifecta): Gov. Tate Reeves (R) added 16 counties to the state’s mask order, bringing the number of counties under the order to 78 out of 82. The order is set to expire Jan. 15, 2021.
  • New Mexico (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) released holiday guidance and suggested alternatives to traditional activities that comply with state health orders.
  • Tennessee (Republican trifecta): On Tuesday, Dec. 22, Gov. Bill Lee (R) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency through Feb. 27. 
  • Vermont (divided government): On Tuesday, Dec. 22, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced he was temporarily lifting a ban on multi-household gatherings for the holidays. Between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, households can gather with one other household. If a gathering occurs that involves a household from outside Vermont, all participants must quarantine for 14 days. Participants can end their quarantine early if they receive a negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than seven days into the quarantine.