America is gradually reopening its economy. At the start of this month, more than six states have started relaxing their lockdown rules, which were implemented as the COVID-19 pandemic began spiraling out of control on American soil. 

As of yesterday morning, the United States has had over a million COVID-19 cases, and over 63,000 deaths. 

In relation to the nation's reopening, President Trump, on April 16, announced a plan of reopening the country in three phases according to the outbreak's severity in each region or state.

As many states believe they've already met the criteria to finally start the ball rolling again after one month of closed shops and restaurants, and people are given a stay-at-home order.


States That are Set to Start Relaxing Lockdown Measures

As the likes of Tennessee and Georgia start to relax the COVID-19 measures earlier this week, several states are following suit as of Friday. Some of them are as follows:


Texas

Greg Abbott, Texas governor, has allowed the stay-at-home-orders to end on Thursday for Texas as he looks into the opening of the state. 

However, San Antonio announced it has extended the same order until May 19 and retains the mandating of wearing a face mask or other means to cover the face when near other people.

Meanwhile, the governor said, restaurants, cinemas and retail shops will be allowed to reopen for customers at a limited capacity, also starting Friday.

Libraries and museums, on the other hand, have also reopened since Friday at a capacity of 25 percent. Sole business proprietors can open too, and dentists and doctors can also resume normal operations beginning the said day.

While hair salons, bars, and barbershops will remain close, Gov. Abbott noted that if there are no spikes of infection in Texas, he will move forward to phase two, which permits most businesses to operate at half its regular capacity.


Illinois

Beginning May 1, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has also allowed Illinois nurseries and garden centers to start reopening for business. Specifically, Lurvey Home and Garden reopened "its nursery yard and store on April 27."

Also effective Friday, the state's hospitals will already be allowed to resume their non-life threatening operations. Other outdoor recreation areas have also followed suit with the reopening.

Moreover, garden centers, as well as the greenhouses, will be allowed to reopen as non-essential retail and essential businesses are also allowed to open for delivery and pickup.


Ohio

Effective on May 1 too, all medical procedures can be conducted minus without an overnight stay, have also been allowed to open, and these include veterinarians and dentists. General office setups, on the other hand, will be allowed to start operations on May 4.


Pennsylvania 

Here, Gov. Tom Wolf will allow the reopening of some outdoor recreations such as marinas, golf courses, privately-owned compounds, guided fishing trips, and more construction projects also, starting Friday. The remaining areas of the state will begin reopening by region starting May 8.


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