Coronavirus pandemic in the US

Shopping malls in Hawaii will be allowed to reopen on Thursday, Gov. David Ige announced today.

The governor said it will be "the first step in reopening businesses and getting people back to work."

The first phase of Ige's “safer-at-home” plan includes removing restrictions on car washes, pet grooming, elective surgery, non-profit organizations, and in-person retail businesses as long as social distancing is maintained. 

Ige said the state has enough testing materials to keep track of any future outbreaks. 

He said the state is continuing to discourage visitors to the islands for now, as anyone arriving from out of state must immediately quarantine for 14 days.

President Trump was asked by CNN's Jim Acosta if he would get a coronavirus vaccine when one becomes available.

Trump said he would, but it depends on what is best for the country.

“I would absolutely Jim, and if they wanted me to be first on line, I’d be first on line or I’d be last on line or I wouldn’t take it at all. Whatever is best for the country,” he said.

The President added he “doesn’t want to waste” a vaccine.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that there are 625 new cases of Covid-19 in the state following mass testing at the Green River Correctional Facility.

He said 309 cases are from the Green River Correctional facility. Two staff members and two inmates have been hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported, according to Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown.

In addition to thermometer checks and ongoing sanitation, the facility will now be able to separate inmates into three groups: those who have tested positive, those who tested negative but had exposure, and those who tested negative with no exposure, Brown said.

Small, recreational businesses in Tennessee will be allowed to open on May 8, Gov. Bill Lee said at a news conference.

The state will be releasing guidance on Wednesday for bowling alleys, miniature golf and other recreational businesses that fall under that category.

The state’s economic recovery group is also working to help secure thermometers for businesses. Residents will be able to receive a free mask at any local health department, he said.

At least 13,690 cases of coronavirus have been reported and at least 226 people have died in the state.

As Illinois reports its highest single-day death toll, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a five-phase regional plan to reopen the state. 

"Moving forward with 'Restore Illinois,' we are looking at the state as four regions, each of which can move through phases at different times. Northeast Illinois, North Central Illinois, Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois," Pritzker said in a news conference today. 

Illinois Department of Public Health will be tracking each region's metrics, and the state will make the data available online for the public, the governor said. 

He also said the earliest a region can move to phase three is May 29. He added schools could only open in phase four.

"The only way that we can cross into phase five 'Illinois Restored' with all the sectors of the economy running with completely normal operations is with a vaccine, or a widely available and highly effective treatment or with the elimination of any new cases over a sustained period of time," he said.

Many business in North Carolina will be allowed to open Friday as the state moves into phase one, Gov. Roy Cooper announced today.

“Phase one is a limited easing of restrictions,” he said.

Under this first phase, retail stores will be able to operate at 50% capacity with cleaning and social distancing, parks and trails can reopen and restaurants can continue takeout and delivery with no in-room dining.

Gyms, bars, salons, theaters, playgrounds and pools will remain closed. 

The state is asking people to remember to wear a face covering, practice social distancing and frequent hand washing.

The stay-at-home order remains in effect for the state with modifications.

Phase one is set to expire on May 22, but can be extended depending on the state's progress with mitigation efforts.

Huntington Beach, California, will allow active recreation at its beaches.

This announcement follows a rowdy protest on Friday at the Huntington Beach Pier that drew between 2,500 to 3,000 people, according to police. 

Activities that are now permitted at Huntington State Beach include: swimming, surfing, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, kite surfing, paddle boarding, skim boarding and kayaking.

Walking, running, hiking and bicycle riding will also be permitted where normally allowed, the city said in a statement.

Under the new active recreation rules, the city said the following activities remain prohibited: passive games, loitering, sunbathing and any gatherings of people (even if engaged in active recreation) outside of those within their immediate households.

The decision to reopen the beaches was made after extensive discussions with other local cities and California state representatives, the statement said.

Some schools in Connecticut are hoping to open by July for summer school, Gov. Ned Lamont and the state's top education officials announced at a news conference Tuesday.

Cardona said class sizes will likely be smaller, with 10 students to a group.

Asked if the state is considering moving to two sessions a day to break up the number of students in the building at one time, Cardona said, “those are things that are being considered. We have a lot of different options to consider, what works for students what works for school communities.”

Beth Bye, the state's Early Childhood Education commissioner, announced that the state's summer camps can open on June 29. 

Bye added that there are currently about five camps already open in the state providing childcare for the children of essential workers.

She said all camps will have to comply with guidance laid out in a memo released from her office in order to reopen such as taking students temperatures, limiting group sizes to 10 children, and having employees wear face coverings at all times.

In-person classes: Lamont said the decision to cancel in-person classes in the state for the rest of the academic year was heartbreaking.

“It breaks my heart. I mean, we were pretty early on in terms of a lot of the social distancing and protocols we put into place,” Lamont said at a news conference today, just after the decision was made.

President Trump sidestepped a question from CNN today on whether it was the right time to wind down the coronavirus task force.

Trump said that the country was looking towards “other phases” and that the country is starting to open up.

“I think we’re looking at phase two and we’re looking at other phases. The country is starting to open up, the task force has done a phenomenal job,” Trump said. 

When pressed if Trump needed to continue to meet with the task force in order to get scientific expertise, Trump said that he thinks that there will be “a different group” that is working towards “safety and opening.”

“I think as far as the task force, Mike Pence and the task force have done a great job, but we’re now looking at a little bit of a different form and that form is safety and opening and we’ll have a different group probably set up for that,” Trump said. 

Trump said that Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Deborah Birx and “other experts in the field” will still be involved even after the task force ends. 

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