The next 24 hours

What is changing in the next 24 hours?

• New Hampshire (Republican trifecta): The next phase of the state’s vaccine distribution plan, 1B, will begin Jan. 26. On that day, people 65 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine, as well as medically vulnerable people, the caregivers of medically vulnerable children, and people in correctional facilities. The state opened an online registration system for eligible recipients on Jan. 22. 

• Wyoming (Republican trifecta): Effective Jan. 26, the capacity limit for indoor gatherings across the state will rise to 25% or 250 people, while the limit for outdoor gatherings will rise to 500. Previously, indoor gatherings had been limited to 25% capacity or 100 people, while outdoor gatherings had been limited to 50% capacity or 250 people.

Since our last edition

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

• California (Democratic trifecta): Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) lifted the regional stay-at-home orders and statewide 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Jan. 25. Counties are returning to the color-coded tier system that existed before Newsom issued the regional stay-at-home orders. Stay-at-home orders applied to the Southern California, San Joaquin Valley, and Bay Area regions (which contain about 90% of the state’s population). The first regional orders went into effect Dec. 5, 2020.

• Georgia (Republican trifecta): On Friday, Jan. 22, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) issued an order easing safety requirements for healthcare workers to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Under the new order, nurses, medical assistants, and physician assistants no longer need to be directly supervised to administer the vaccines. Instead, those healthcare workers can be supervised remotely if they have completed the required training. The order also allows nurses whose licenses have expired within the last five years to apply for a temporary permit to administer vaccines. 

• Illinois (Democratic trifecta): 
  • On Jan. 22, regions 10 and 11 moved to Tier 1 (least restrictive) mitigation, and Region 4 moved to Tier 2. Every region has moved out of Tier 3 (most restrictive) mitigation.
  • Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Phase 1B of vaccine distribution begins Jan. 25. The phase includes individuals age 65 and older and frontline essential workers. 

• Indiana (Republican trifecta): On Friday, Jan. 22, Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) extended current coronavirus restrictions through Jan. 31. Restrictions include mask requirements and capacity limits at recreational, collegiate, and professional sporting events.

• Massachusetts (divided government): The statewide curfew on businesses and a nighttime stay-at-home advisory on individuals are no longer in effect. Gov. Charlie Baker (R) announced the change Jan. 21. The curfew prohibited several types of businesses, including restaurants and gyms, from operating after 9:30 p.m., while the stay-at-home advisory discouraged people from leaving their houses between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Baker said some restrictions would remain in place, including indoor and outdoor gathering limits and capacity limits on businesses. 

• Ohio (Republican trifecta): Effective Jan. 25, people 75 and older and anyone with severe congenital or developmental disorders are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. On Feb. 1, eligibility will expand to people 70 and older and K-12 staff and teachers who want to return to in-person learning. On Feb. 8, eligibility will expand to people 65 and older.

• Oregon (Democratic trifecta): On Jan. 23, the state started the next phase of vaccine distribution, which includes individuals age 65 and older, childcare workers, and school staff.

• Vermont (Democratic trifecta): Effective Jan. 25, people age 75 and older are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Gov. Phill Scott (R) made the announcement Friday, Jan. 22.