Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: February 22, 2021

By

Ballotpedia staff
Documenting America's Path to Recovery by Ballotpedia

The next 24 hours

What is changing in the next 24 hours?

  • Vermont (divided government): On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that fully vaccinated residents who travel to another state will no longer need to quarantine when returning to Vermont beginning Feb. 23. Fully vaccinated residents will receive cards that they can display upon request when traveling in or out of the state. Scott also said that fully vaccinated out-of-state travelers will not need to quarantine if they can provide proof of vaccination. Additionally, Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith announced that fully vaccinated residents at long-term care facilities where there is no outbreak may participate in congregate activities, so long as the facility is within the federal guidance for COVID-19 positivity rates.  

Since our last edition

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

  • Delaware (Democratic trifecta): Gov. John Carney (D) amended the state’s omnibus coronavirus emergency order to permit gatherings of up to 25 people at indoor business spaces, or 50% capacity, whichever is less. Previously, indoor spaces were limited to 10 people. The order also expanded outdoor gatherings limits from 25 to 50 people. Private indoor gatherings are still limited to 10 people. Carney extended the emergency order through March 21.
  • Florida (Republican trifecta): On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that four federally supported COVID-19 vaccination sites will open in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville on March 3. Each site will operate seven days a week and administer 2,000 vaccines per day. 
  • Georgia (Republican trifecta): The state is opening four vaccination sites on Monday, Feb. 22. Each site will dispense around 22,000 shots a week. 
  • Hawaii (Democratic trifecta): State Health Director Elizabeth Char announced people age 70 and older will soon become eligible for vaccination under Phase 1b. Char did not provide a specific date for the expansion but said the state will share details when vaccination sites are ready to accept registrants. Currently, individuals age 75 and older are eligible to schedule appointments.
  • Kentucky (divided government): Indoor visitation resumed for non-Medicare-certified long-term care facilities that have gone through the state’s vaccination process on Feb. 20. 
  • Louisiana (divided government): School staff and people ages 55-64 with certain high-risk health conditions are eligible for vaccination starting Feb. 22. Qualifying conditions include cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Pregnant women of all ages are also eligible.
  • Minnesota (divided government): On Feb. 22, all middle and high school students can return to the classroom for either full-time or hybrid instruction. Gov. Tim Walz (D) said he expects schools to offer some in-person instruction by March 8. Under the plan, families can still opt to keep their children home for remote instruction.
  • New Hampshire (Republican trifecta): On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) issued an order requiring schools to provide at least two days of classroom instruction beginning March 8. Under the order, schools can switch to fully remote instruction for up to 48 hours without approval from the state. 
  • New York (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced nursing home visits can resume in accordance with CMS and CDC guidelines. Cuomo also said restaurants can expand from 25% to 35% capacity starting Feb. 26.
  • North Carolina (divided government): Teachers and staff became eligible to register to receive a coronavirus vaccine Feb. 22, with vaccinations beginning Wednesday, Feb. 24. 
  • Oklahoma (Republican trifecta): School teachers and staff are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting Feb. 22. Adults under 65 with certain health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, are also eligible.
  • Oregon (Democratic trifecta): Individuals age 70 and older are eligible to receive vaccinations starting Feb. 22. Previously, anyone age 75 and older could schedule an appointment.
  • Pennsylvania (divided government): Gov. Tom Wolf (D) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order for 90 days through May 20.
  • Rhode Island (Democratic trifecta): Individuals 65 and older are eligible to register for vaccination starting Feb. 22. Previously, anyone age 75 and older could schedule an appointment. 
  • South Carolina (Republican trifecta): Gov. Henry McMaster (R) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order through March 8.
  • Washington (Democratic trifecta): On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed House Bill 1368, which allocates $2.2 billion in federal COVID-19 relief to schools, testing and vaccination efforts, eviction and rental assistance, child care, food banks, and other needs.