President Joe Biden (D) signed a bill ending the national coronavirus state of emergency on April 10, 2023.
The House voted to approve the bill 229-197 on Feb. 1, 2023, and the Senate voted to approve the bill 68-23 on March 29, 2023. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) introduced the bill on January 9, 2023. Biden had previously said he planned to end the state of emergency through executive action in May 2023.
The national coronavirus state of emergency began on March 1, 2020. Donald Trump (R) issued the proclamation on March 13, 2020, making the state of emergency retroactively begin on March 1 of that year.
The president can declare national states of emergency under the authority of the National Emergencies Act. During a national state of emergency, additional powers and authorities are granted to the executive branch, often through the provisions of other laws.
For example, the Biden administration enacted its student loan debt cancellation plan under the HEROES Act of 2003, which provides the executive branch authority to “waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs” in a national state of emergency. The student loan debt cancellation is paused pending a United States Supreme Court ruling.
In addition to the coronavirus state of emergency, Trump issued at least 10 other national states of emergency during his tenure related to international affairs, government ethics, and elections. Biden has issued at least seven national states of emergency relating to international affairs.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) on March 15, 2023, announced that Massachusetts’ COVID-19 state public health emergency will end on May 11, 2023, to align with the end of the federal public health emergency. The governor also announced that on May 11 she plans to rescind state Executive Order 595, which requires all executive branch state employees to receive a primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations to remain employed by the state.
Gov. Healey said that the state has made important progress in the fight against COVID-19 throughout the public health emergency. She said, “we’ve reached the point where we can update our guidance to reflect where we are now.” Executive Order 595, implemented by former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R), required all state employees in the executive department to receive a first round of vaccinations to maintain employment by the state.
Patrick McNamara, president of the Massachusetts State Police Association, said that the vaccine mandate led to 20 state troopers being fired or suspended without pay: “This has been a long journey for our membership. We have been seeking the same treatment as other Commonwealth employees and for our leaders in government to hear our voice. Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration did just that with the announcement to rescind Executive Order 595.”
Twenty states, all with Republican governors, prohibit proof-of-vaccination requirements. In eleven states, governors banned proof-of-vaccination requirements through executive orders. In nine states, legislators passed laws banning proof-of-vaccination requirements.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R), joined by 20 Republican and Democratic attorneys general, filed a lawsuit on March 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida that aims to end the Biden administration’s federal mask mandate for public transport. The mandate, issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is in place through April 18, 2022, and requires individuals to wear masks in transportation hubs and on public transportation. Eighteen Republican-led states (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia) and three states led by Democratic governors (Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana) joined in the lawsuit. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) filed a similar lawsuit on Feb. 16, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
The states argue that the federal mask mandate exceeds the CDC’s statutory authority and harms the states’ sovereign interests. The plaintiffs contend that the law does not permit the CDC to issue economy-wide mandates for noninfected individuals and violates the nondelegation doctrine by granting the CDC lawmaking power. The plaintiffs also claim that the mandate harms states’ sovereign interests by enforcing agency action that contradicts state law in some areas.
Moody argued, “President Biden’s shortsighted, heavy-handed and unlawful travel policies are frustrating travelers and causing chaos on public transportation. It’s long past time to alleviate some of the pressure on travelers and those working in the travel industry by immediately ending Biden’s unlawful public transportation mandates.”
The CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services had not issued a response to the lawsuit as of April 4, 2022.
Seven states ended their school mask requirements from Feb. 1 through March 1, leaders in seven other states announced these mandates would end between March 2 and March 12. Only one state, Hawaii, has not announced an end to its school mask requirement.
Thirty-five states have required masks in schools at some point since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some states issued mask requirements specifically covering schools. Other school mask requirements were by-products of a general statewide mask requirement.
Maryland and Washington were the first states to issue school reopening guidance requiring masks in schools, both on June 10, 2020. Governor Jay Inslee (D) announced Washington’s school mask requirement would end on March 12, and Maryland’s State Board of Education ended its mask requirement effective March 1.
Wyoming was the latest school to issue its first school mask requirement. It lasted from Dec. 7, 2020, to June 1, 2021. North Dakota had the shortest statewide school mask requirement. It lasted from Nov. 14, 2020, to Jan. 18, 2021.
Nine states have banned school mask requirements, five of which had previously required masks in schools. Arkansas’ ban was the first to take effect on April 28, 2021. The ban was later suspended by court action on Sept. 30, 2021.
Virginia most recently banned school mask requirements on Jan. 24, 2022. A court overturned Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) executive order to that effect on Feb. 4, but Youngkin subsequently signed a bill into law banning school mask requirements. That law takes effect on March 1.
For states with statewide mask requirements in place going into the 2020-2021 academic year, we used the release date of school reopening guidance as the beginning of the state’s school mask requirement. Note that some school mask requirement end dates are approximate since they were set to end on the final day of school for each school district in the state. The charts above also only show school mask requirements and bans that took effect, so bans and requirements that were overturned before their effective date are not included.
At the start of the pandemic, governors and state agencies in all 50 states declared active emergencies related to the COVID-19 virus. These orders allowed officials to access resources unavailable to them during non-emergencies, like stockpiles of medical goods and equipment, and temporarily waive or suspend certain rules and regulations.
Half of all states remained under active COVID-19 emergency as of Feb. 25, 2022. In the other 25 states, the emergencies have ended.
In the 14 states with a Democratic trifecta, 12 still have active emergencies.
In the 23 states with a Republican trifecta, eight still have active emergencies.
Alaska and North Dakota were the first states to end their COVID-19 emergency orders. Those orders ended on April 30, 2021. Most recently, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) ended the statewide COVID-19 emergency on Feb. 15, 2022.
In some states, governors ended their original emergency orders and later reinstated new ones. In Maryland, for example, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) ended the statewide COVID-19 emergency on July 1, 2021, saying, “Thanks in large part to the hard work, the sacrifices, and the vigilance of the people of Maryland, we have finally reached the light at the end of that long tunnel. Each and every one of you—your actions—have made this day possible.” Hogan declared a 30-day emergency on January 4, 2022, to “keep our hospitals from overflowing, to keep our kids in school, and to keep Maryland open for business, and we will continue to take whatever actions are necessary in the very difficult days and weeks ahead.” He did not renew the emergency when it expired on Feb. 3.
In addition to Maryland, governors in Alabama, Delaware, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia also ended their emergencies and later reinstated them.
In Michigan and Wisconsin, state supreme court judges ended statewide COVID-19 emergencies. Michigan’s emergency ended on Oct. 5, 2020, when the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) lacked the authority to issue and extend emergency and disaster declarations after the legislature declined to extend those orders earlier that spring. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ended the statewide emergency on March 31, 2021, ruling 4-3 that Gov. Tony Evers (D) overstepped his authority when he declared several states of emergency since the start of the pandemic without input from the legislature.
Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout the year, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates.
Here are the policy changes that happened October 19-23, 2020. To read more of our past coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, click here.
Monday, October 19, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Barron County Circuit Court Judge James Babler allowed Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) Oct. 6 order limiting public gatherings in bars and restaurants to go into effect, overturning a court ruling last week that blocked enforcement of the order while the case was being litigated. The Tavern League of Wisconsin, which filed the lawsuit along with two bars, said it would not appeal the decision.
Election changes:
The North Carolina State Board of Elections directed counties to accept absentee/mail-in ballots received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 12 and postmarked on or before Election Day. The state board of elections also issued new guidance on how voters could resolve problems with their absentee/mail-in ballots.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s order extending the receipt deadline for mail-in ballots to Nov. 6 for ballots postmarked on or before Election Day.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit unanimously upheld a district court decision that temporarily suspended a Tennessee law requiring first-time voters to vote in person.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan released a draft of the state’s plan for distributing a coronavirus vaccine once one became available.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) announced he would be extending an executive order allowing local governments to impose mask requirements through the end of the year.
Election changes:
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit declined to block the extension of North Carolina’s absentee/mail-in ballot return and receipt deadlines. As a result, ballots would be accepted if they were postmarked on or before Election Day and received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 12.
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) issued an executive order implementing targeted mitigation measures in nine counties with high rates of coronavirus infection. The order limited gatherings in those counties to 10 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. It also required masks in all indoor public places where social distancing was not possible. Hospitals statewide were also required to maintain at least 10% of their total capacity for coronavirus patients. Facilities that could not maintain that capacity were required to pause elective procedures.
Election changes:
The Iowa Supreme Court upheld an Iowa law barring county election officials from sending absentee/mail-in ballots to voters who omitted information on their ballot application forms.
The U.S. Supreme Court, on a 5-3 vote, reinstated Alabama’s prohibition against curbside voting.
Federal government responses:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance changing the definition of close contact for an individual infected with coronavirus. Under previous guidelines, a close contact was defined as someone who spent at least 15 consecutive minutes within six feet of a confirmed coronavirus case. The new guidance defined a close contact as someone who was within six feet of a confirmed coronavirus case for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
School closures and reopenings:
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced some schools in New York City’s state-defined hotspots were allowed to reopen. He also said the state would consider loosening restrictions in hotspot zones and drawing the zones on a block-by-block basis instead of using zip codes.
Mask requirements:
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) announced an extension of the state’s mask mandate for “the foreseeable future.”
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ordered nursing homes and assisted living facilities to allow children to visit residents indoors. His order also allowed outdoor visits regardless of a facility’s case count, as long as visitors and residents practiced social distancing and wore masks. DeSantis said residents would also be allowed to leave facilities for overnight visits with family.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) amended the state’s coronavirus emergency order. The new order required restaurants to complete the state’s Safe Certification training program no later than Oct. 30 if they wish to continue offering indoor dining at 25% capacity beyond that date. Restaurants that did not complete the certification were still able to offer outdoor service at 75% capacity. The order also required retail establishments to close by 10 p.m. every night and shut down state museums and historical sites.
Election changes:
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit blocked a district court order that would have allowed Missouri voters to return their mail-in ballots in person. As a result, the law requiring voters to return their mail-in ballots by mail was upheld.
Friday, October 23, 2020
Election changes:
Texas’ Third Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court’s Oct. 14 ruling that suspended Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) order restricting the number of absentee/mail-in ballot return locations to one per county.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled election officials could not reject a mail-in ballot because the signature on the ballot return documents did not appear to match the voter’s signature on file.
For the most recent coronavirus news, including the latest on vaccines and mask mandates, subscribe to our daily newsletter, Documenting America’s Path to Recovery.
Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout the year, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates.
Here are the policy changes that happened Oct. 12-16, 2020. To read more of our past coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, click here.
Monday, Oct. 12, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
The Michigan Supreme Court voted 6-1 to deny Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) request to delay enforcement of its Oct. 2 decision finding her emergency powers used in response to the coronavirus pandemic were unconstitutional. Whitmer had asked the court to delay its decision for 28 days so her administration could negotiate new restrictions with the legislature.
Ohio nursing homes were allowed to resume indoor visitations. Facilities that resumed visitations were required to screen visitors and report their names to state authorities. Only two visitors were allowed at a time for a maximum of 30 minutes.
Election changes:
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit unanimously upheld a directive by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) restricting the number of absentee/mail-in ballot return locations to one per county.
The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s order suspending the state’s witness requirement for absentee/mail-in ballots.
Tuesday, Oct, 13, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Maine entered Stage 4 of reopening. Stage 4 allowed indoor activities and businesses like restaurants, movie theaters, and religious gatherings to expand operations to 50% capacity or up to 100 people (whichever was less). The order also required masks in municipal buildings and private schools and expanded enforcement of the face-covering mandate.
New Hampshire Superior Court Judge David Anderson ruled Gov. Chris Sununu (R) was not required to obtain the legislature’s approval to spend federal dollars in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Democratic legislative leaders filed the lawsuit, alleging that Gov. Sununu did not have the authority to unilaterally spend CARES Act funds.
Election changes:
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit stayed a lower court’s order that had extended Indiana’s return deadlines for absentee/mail-in ballots. As a result, the original receipt deadline (noon on Nov. 3) was reinstated.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a lower court’s order that had extended Arizona’s voter registration deadline. The court set Oct. 15 as the new registration deadline.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed a district court order suspending Alabama’s witness requirement for absentee/mail-in voters with underlying medical conditions. The panel also reversed the lower court’s order waiving photo identification requirements for voters 65 and older.
Federal government responses:
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency order granting the U.S. Department of Commerce’s request to pause a lower court decision that required the 2020 census population count to continue through Oct. 31 while the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit looked at the case. The order was unsigned, with the exception of a dissent by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Wednesday, Oct, 14, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill making permanent a provision allowing restaurants to sell to-go alcoholic beverages. The law went into effect immediately. Restaurants had been allowed to offer to-go alcoholic beverages earlier in the year on a temporary basis to help them stay afloat while the state was under a stay-at-home order.
Travel restrictions:
The Ohio Department of Health updated its travel advisory to include travelers from Indiana. The advisory asked visitors from states reporting positive testing rates of 15% or higher to self-quarantine for two weeks. At the time, the list included South Dakota, Idaho, Wisconsin, Iowa, Wyoming, Kansas, Nevada, and Indiana, all states with spiking coronavirus cases.
Election changes:
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia Judge John A. Gibney ordered that Virginia’s voter registration deadline be extended from Oct. 13 to Oct. 15.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina Judge William Osteen ordered election officials to enforce the state’s witness requirement for absentee/mail-in ballots. Osteen allowed other ballot curing provisions, and the absentee/mail-in ballot receipt deadline (Nov. 12 for ballots postmarked on or before Election Day), to stand.
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020
Travel restrictions:
Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program went into effect, allowing visitors to avoid the 14-day quarantine if they could present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Travelers who tested positive or whose results were pending were still required to quarantine.
Eviction and foreclosure policies:
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) allowed the statewide moratorium on evictions to expire.
Friday, Oct. 16, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) added additional restrictions to the state’s public health order. Bars and restaurants that served alcohol were required to close by 10 p.m. every evening, and gatherings were limited to a maximum of five individuals.Travelers from states with COVID-19 positivity rates exceeding 5% could no longer present a recent negative coronavirus test to avoid the state’s 14-day self-quarantine requirement. Health Secretary Kathyleen Kunkel extended the state’s stay-at-home order through Nov. 13.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) moved 16 counties into the “high risk” category due to a spike in coronavirus cases. Bars, restaurants, and large venues in “high risk” areas were advised to cap capacity at 25% or 50 people in total.
Election changes:
A three-judge panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a lower court order that had extended Michigan’s receipt deadline for absentee/mail-in ballots. The appellate panel reinstated the original receipt deadline: 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
For the most recent coronavirus news, including the latest on vaccines and mask mandates, subscribe to our daily newsletter, Documenting America’s Path to Recovery.
Since August 2021, 15 states have announced vaccine requirements for healthcare workers.
Thirteen states have a Democratic trifecta. In Maryland and Massachusetts, the governor is a Republican but the state legislature is controlled by Democrats.
Eleven states do not allow healthcare workers to choose between getting a vaccine and getting regularly tested. Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, however, allow healthcare workers to undergo regular testing in lieu of a vaccine.
New Mexico imposed the earliest deadline—Aug. 27—for workers to get at least one dose of a vaccine. However, New Jersey required healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated or undergo regular testing no later than Sept. 7. Nevada, with a Nov. 1 deadline, has given healthcare workers the most time to become fully vaccinated.
As of Oct. 8, the deadline for healthcare workers to receive at least one dose of a vaccine has passed in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York.
To read more about healthcare worker vaccine requirements, click here.
Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout the year, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates.
Here are the policy changes that happened October 5-9, 2020. To read more of our past coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, click here.
Monday, October 5, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Massachusetts cities and towns designated as lower risk on the state’s community spread map advanced to Step 2 of Phase 3 of the reopening plan. In that stage, indoor entertainment businesses like roller rinks and trampoline parks could reopen, and indoor and outdoor performance venues could operate at up to 50% capacity. Additionally, gyms, libraries, and museums were permitted to operate at 50% capacity.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued an emergency public health order replacing many coronavirus restrictions the Michigan Supreme Court struck down on Oct. 2, including limits on gatherings and a mask requirement. The court ruled that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D) emergency orders were based on an unconstitutional law called the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act of 1945.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) issued an executive order allowing live outdoor music performances to resume so long as crowds were restricted to 25% capacity or 250 individuals, whichever is less. He permitted indoor live music performances which were streamed across the internet without crowds to resume.
Election changes:
The United States Supreme Court reinstated South Carolina’s witness signature requirement for absentee/mail-in ballots.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) announced that counties would be allowed to offer multiple drop-off options for returning absentee/mail-in ballots. LaRose said that these options would be restricted to one site per county.
Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson issued an order allowing Iowa counties to send voters absentee/mail-in ballot applications with pre-filled personal information.
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona Judge Steven Logan ordered that Arizona’s voter registration deadline be extended to 5 p.m. on Oct. 23.
School closures and reopenings:
Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade students in Florida’s Miami-Dade Public School district returned to classrooms. Students in higher grades were returned to classrooms later in the week. The Miami-Dade Public School district is the largest district in Florida and the fourth largest in the country.
State court changes:
Delaware courts advanced into a modified Phase 3 of reopening, allowing jury trials to resume. Phase 3 also allowed courts to operate at 75% capacity and increased the number of people allowed in a courtroom to 50.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) eased coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, businesses, and youth sports. The new rules allowed theaters in counties in Phase 2 of reopening to operate at 25% capacity and theaters in Phase 3 of reopening to operate at 50% capacity. Additionally, restaurants in Phase 2 counties were allowed to sit up to six people together at a table, while restaurants in Phase 3 were allowed up to eight.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm issued an order limiting indoor gatherings to 25% capacity. Colleges, schools, churches, polling locations, rallies, and outdoor venues were exempt from the order.
Election changes:
The Iowa Supreme Court stayed a state court’s order that had allowed county election officials to send pre-filled absentee/mail-in ballot request forms to voters.
Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee (R) announced that the state’s voter registration deadline would be extended to 7 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2020.
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Connecticut moved into the third phase of reopening, which allowed businesses like restaurants and barbershops to operate at 75% capacity. Outdoor event venues (like amphitheaters and racetracks) and indoor performing arts venues were allowed to operate at 50% capacity.
Election changes:
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Judge Dan Aaron Polster ordered Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to allow counties to install absentee/mail-in ballot drop boxes at locations other than election board offices.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit voted 2-1 to stay a lower court order extending registration and absentee/mail-in ballot return deadlines in Wisconsin.
Eviction and foreclosure policies:
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) extended the statewide moratorium on evictions through Dec. 31.
Friday, October 9, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) modified restrictions to allow gatherings of up to 7,500 people in large outdoor venues or 3,750 in indoor venues.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced new restrictions on areas of New York City where coronavirus cases were rising. In areas designated as red zones, state-defined non-essential businesses were required to close, religious gatherings were limited to 10 people, and restaurants could only offer takeout service.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order allowing movie theaters and other indoor entertainment venues to reopen. Capacity at those venues was capped at 20 people per 1,000 square feet.
Election changes:
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Judge Robert Pitman blocked Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) directive restricting the number of absentee/mail-in ballot return locations to one per county.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit stayed a district court’s order directing Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to allow counties to install absentee/mail-in ballot drop boxes at locations other than election board offices. As a result, LaRose’s initial order limiting drop boxes to one site per county was reinstated.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri Judge Brian C. Wimes issued an order requiring Missouri election authorities to accept mail-in ballots returned in person. However, on Oct. 10, 2020, Wimes stayed his order pending appeal, leaving the requirement that mail-in ballots be returned by mail in place.
For the most recent coronavirus news, including the latest on vaccines and mask mandates, subscribe to our daily newsletter, Documenting America’s Path to Recovery.
Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout the year, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, issued mask mandates, and changed election dates.
Here are the policy changes that happened Sept. 28 to Oct. 2, 2020. To read more of our past coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, click here.
Monday, Sept. 28, 2020
Federal government responses:
President Donald Trump (R) announced the federal government would send the first batch of a planned 100 million rapid coronavirus tests developed by Abbott Laboratories to states. The first shipment was expected to total 6.5 million tests. The tests would be distributed to states based on population data.
Eviction and foreclosure policies:
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) extended the statewide moratorium on residential evictions through Jan. 1, 2021.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) extended the statewide moratorium on residential evictions through Dec. 31. The new order did not apply to commercial evictions.
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that workers and children in daycares and schools were no longer required to quarantine if they came into contact with a person with COVID-19 while wearing a mask. According to the guidance, only the infected individual with COVID-19 was required to quarantine.
Election changes:
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Judge Sarah Barker issued an order extending the postmark and receipt deadline for absentee/mail-in ballots in Indiana to Nov. 3 and Nov. 13, respectively.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld a district court decision extending voter registration and absentee/mail-in ballot return deadlines in Wisconsin.
State court changes:
The Virginia Supreme Court issued an order extending the statewide judicial emergency through Oct. 11. The order continued requirements like face coverings in courthouses. Courts were still encouraged to conduct as much business as possible remotely. Jury trials remained prohibited in all but 10 jurisdictions at this time.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
The California Department of Public Health announced new guidelines that permitted outdoor playgrounds to reopen statewide.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) released an executive order eliminating coronavirus restrictions on businesses and gatherings in 89 of the state’s 95 counties. Six counties, including Shelby, operated according to rules made by their respective health departments.
Federal government responses:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended a ban on cruise ships with a carrying capacity of more than 250 people through Oct. 31. The no-sail order prohibited passenger operations on cruise ships in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
Mask requirements:
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) allowed the statewide public mask order to expire but said individuals still had to wear masks in schools and at businesses the state defined as close-contact (like barbershops and salons).
Eviction and foreclosure policies:
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) extended the statewide moratorium on evictions through Jan. 1. The moratorium was set to expire on Oct. 1.
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) raised the gathering limit from 50 to 250 people, and allowed sports venues with more than 2,500 seats to reopen at 10% capacity if they submitted a plan and received approval from state and local officials.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) and Department of Health Services-designee Andrea Palm issued an order easing licensing requirements for healthcare workers during the state of emergency. The order allowed healthcare workers from other states to receive temporary licenses in Wisconsin and made it easier for workers with lapsed licenses to reapply.
The Arizona Department of Health Services announced all 15 counties in the state met the requirements to allow businesses like movie theaters and gyms to reopen. Food service at bars was also allowed to resume.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) allowed nursing homes to resume visitations in counties with a COVID-19 positivity rate below 10%. However, any facility that reopened to visitors and registered a coronavirus case was required to close to visitors for two weeks.
Federal government responses:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it would return control of supplies of remdesivir to Gilead Sciences, the biopharmaceutical company that manufactures the COVID-19 drug. Previously, HHS had distributed the drug to states and territories, but a representative for the agency said demand has fallen. Because of the decline in demand, Gilead would sell the drug to hospitals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Remdesivir emergency use authorization in May 2020.
The National Park Service (NPS) reopened. Visitors were required to acquire tickets online, and masks were required inside the monument.
Election changes:
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) issued a proclamation limiting the number of return locations for absentee/mail-in ballots to one per county.
Eviction and foreclosure policies:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) allowed the statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures to expire.
Friday, October 2, 2020
Stay-at-home orders and reopening plans:
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) allowed the state to advance to Phase 3 of reopening. Phase 3 eased several restrictions on businesses, including allowing bars to provide outdoor service at 30% or 100 guests, whichever was less. Movie theaters were also allowed to reopen at 30% capacity or 100 guests. Large outdoor venues were permitted to operate at 7% capacity.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) lacked the authority to issue pandemic-related executive orders after April 30, 2020, when the legislature declined to extend the emergency and disaster declarations. The court ruled the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (EPGA) of 1945—which was one of two laws on which Whitmer justified her orders—violated the Michigan constitution.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) issued an executive order lifting capacity limits on restaurants.
Election changes:
A three-judge panel of the Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals ruled that Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) could direct counties to offer multiple drop-box locations for returning absentee/mail-in ballots. The panel stopped short of requiring LaRose to do so, overturning a lower court decision to that effect.
Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins approved a settlement extending North Carolina’s absentee/mail-in ballot return receipt deadline from Nov. 6 to Nov. 12.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reinstated Georgia’s Nov. 3 receipt deadlines for absentee/mail-in ballots.
For the most recent coronavirus news, including the latest on vaccines and mask mandates, subscribe to our daily newsletter, Documenting America’s Path to Recovery.
