Texas on Tuesday became the largest state in the US
to lift its mask mandate.
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Michigan, as well as Chicago and San Francisco, all made announcements to ease restrictions on Tuesday, though the details varied.
Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, and Mississippi have already waived mask-wearing restrictions, and Michigan has eased other lockdown restrictions. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have not enforced state-wide mask mandates throughout the pandemic.
In Florida and South Dakota, schools and businesses have been widely open for months.
More than 35 US states have kept their mask-wearing rules in place, albeit with variable enforcement. Here is how some other states, as well as some cities, are easing their restrictions.
ChicagoChicago's Mayor Lori Lightfoot arrives at a University of Chicago initiative event for the science in Chicago, Illinois, on July 23, 2020.REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski
Chicago
announced Tuesday that hospitality, sports, and performance venues could increase to 50% capacity, up from 40%. The maximum number of people is 50, or 20 people for indoor fitness classes. Curfews were also extended. The changes were effective as of Tuesday.
San FranciscoMayor London Breed of San Francisco
said Tuesday that indoor dining, indoor fitness, museums, and movie theaters would be allowed to reopen Wednesday at limited capacity.
LouisianaGov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana
said on Tuesday that starting Wednesday, businesses could operate at 75% capacity, except in indoor event halls, which were limited to 50% capacity at a maximum of 250 people.
Live music could also resume indoors. He said that the state's mask mandate would continue, and the new rules would remain in place for at least 28 days, until March 31.
MichiganGov. Gretchen
Whitmer of Michigan announced easing of restrictions on Tuesday, set to take effect on Friday.
Restaurants would be able to operate at 50% capacity - increased from 25% - and retail, entertainment, and sports facilities could open at increased capacity, she said. People can also visit a nursing home after a negative COVID-19 test. Michigan has a state-wide mask-mandate, and Whitmer said mask-wearing, social distancing, and washing hands was "more important than ever."
MississippiMississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves in June 2020.Rogelio V. Solis-Pool/Getty Images
Mississippi rescinded a state-wide mask order in September, but Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi
said Tuesday that county-specific mandates would be lifted too. He also said that the only COVID-19 restrictions that would remain were a 50% cap on the number of people in indoor arenas, and that certain restrictions would remain in schools.
North CarolinaGov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina eased restrictions
starting February 26, lifting a curfew and allowing indoor venues to operate at limited capacity. There is still a mask mandate.
Arkansas
Gov. Asa Hutchinson
on February 26 lifted capacity limits for bars, restaurants, gyms, and large venues. He said that the state's mask mandate would remain in place until March, provided the number of cases and hospitalizations were low.
MassachusettsGov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts
said February 25 that restaurants could open at full capacity - albeit with social distancing and table size and time restrictions - starting Monday. Other venues could open at 50% capacity, with no more than 500 people allowed inside. A state-wide
mask mandate is still in place.
Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee lifted restrictions for five counties in the state
on February 14, and allowed restaurants to open up at 25% capacity.
MontanaGov. Greg Gianforte of Montana
terminated the
state's mask mandate February 12.
IowaGov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa
lifted restrictions February 5. Iowans no longer have to wear face coverings in public. Businesses can have as many people as they want inside and don't have to abide social-distance guidelines.
