Montana will allow movie theaters to open next week
The Empire Twin Theatre displays a message in Livingston, Montana after Governor Steve Bullock order the closing of restaurants, bars, and theaters on March 20. William Campbell/Corbis/Getty Images
Movie theaters in Montana will be allowed to reopen on May 15, according to new guidance announced Thursday.
“We have determined that these businesses can carefully reopen under strict capacity, social distancing, and sanitation guidelines,” Gov. Steve Bullock said in a statement.
Theaters will only be able to operate at 50% capacity with 6 feet of separation between families. They are also being told to “increase cleaning and sanitizing of frequently touched surfaces." Cleaning must be done at least once every two hours.
Museums will be also allowed to reopen on May 15 under the same restrictions, along with fitness centers and pools. Workers in gyms must wear a mask. Customers are encouraged to do the same, but it will not be mandatory.
4:47 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
There are 22 new coronavirus deaths in Mississippi
From CNN's Kay Jones
Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves Pool
There are 22 new deaths and 262 new cases in Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves announced today.
"It's clear the number of deaths continue to rise in our state," he said
The state has at total of 8,686 cases and 396 deaths from Covid-19. At least 1,037 of those cases and 169 of the deaths are attributed to the state's long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
"We must understand we are not over this disease nor are we over the challenges that we face," Reeves said. "It's critically important that we as a state come together in these challenging times."
Reeves amended the safer-at-home order on Monday to allow outdoor gatherings for up to 20 people. Restaurants can offer indoor dining as long as they abide by the strict guidelines presented in the amended order. The safer-at-home order expires May 11.
4:41 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
Connecticut reports 79 new coronavirus deaths
From CNN's Elizabeth Hartfield
CT-N
Connecticut reported 789 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the state total to 31,784, Gov. Ned Lamont said today.
Though that number is still high, the governor noted that the state is seeing a decrease in the rate of positive cases.
There were 79 new deaths reported, bringing the state total to 2,797.
The state is continuing to see a downward trend in hospitalizations, Lamont said.
The governor discussed the progress made for the first phase of reopening on May 20 in his briefing.
The state’s previously announced Microsoft platform that was designed to facilitate contact tracing in the state is going live today, Lamont said, and 20 local health departments will begin a pilot tracing program next week.
Hospital capacity is at an adequate level, he said, and the personal protective equipment supply chain is stabilizing.
4:36 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
California's first case of community spread started in a nail salon, governor says
Pool
California's first case of coronavirus community spread started in a nail salon, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday in his briefing.
“This whole thing started in the state of California – the first community spread – in a nail salon,” Newsom said, explaining why salons are not part of the reopening phase.
Higher levels of protection, especially in places that already often use procedure masks and sanitation, will be required before reopening can happen.
4:31 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
US surpasses 75,000 coronavirus deaths
Medical workers take in patients outside a special coronavirus area at Maimonides Medical Center on May 06, in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
According to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases in the United States, at least 75,054 people have died from coronavirus.
The first known US coronavirus-related fatality was Feb. 6, which was 91 days ago.
4:21 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
Federal judge in Massachusetts issues order allowing gun shops to reopen
From CNN’s Mirna Alsharif
A federal judge in Massachusetts issued an order Thursday allowing licensed gun shops in the state to reopen.
The order from US District Judge Douglas Woodlock allows gun retailers to get back to work starting at noon on Saturday.
Woodlock's order calls for gun retailers to operate by appointment only, with no more than four appointments per hour. Gun shops will be allowed to operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Gun shop owners must enforce social distancing and public health guidelines, including requiring employees and customers wear masks. They must also provide full or partial barriers between employees and customers and ensure proper hygiene is practiced in the workplace.
Some context: This decision from Woodlock comes after Gov. Charlie Baker was sued last month by gun shop owners and advocates following his decision to close firearm retailers in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“The court has issued a ruling and the administration is working with the Attorney General’s office to review the decision," Deputy Communications Director Terry MacCormack told CNN.
4:16 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
Michigan extends stay-at-home order to May 28
From CNN’s Sharif Paget in Atlanta
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday that she signed an executive order to extend Michigan’s Covid-19 stay-at-home order through May 28.
The government’s order will allow manufacturing workers to resume work on Monday.
Manufacturing accounts for 19% of Michigan’s economy, Whitmer said.
The big three auto suppliers, in agreement with United Auto Workers (UAW) union, will begin phasing into work on May 18, the governor said. They’ll be starting at 25% capacity before phasing up.
“My team and I determined that manufacturing has a lower risk score than some other industries,” Whitmer said, explaining why the state is moving forward with reopening the manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing facilities must adopt measures to protect their workers from the spread of Covid-19 in order to reopen, she said.
4:12 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
Illinois surpasses 3,000 coronavirus deaths
From CNN’s Will Brown
Illinois has suffered 3,111 total coronavirus deaths, according to Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.
Ezike reported 2,641 new positive cases and 138 deaths in the last 24 hours. Illinois has 70,873 total positive cases.
4:09 p.m. ET, May 7, 2020
Here's how California plans to begin reopening
From CNN's Cheri Mossburg
A man walks past closed-off stores Monday, May 4, in the fashion district of Los Angeles. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
California will begin reopening Friday, and guidelines are being introduced to support the lifting of restrictions.
"It does not mean a return to normal," Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly warned as he laid out the state’s plans Thursday.
Retail stores will be allowed to do more curbside pickup and possibly deliveries, likely with hand sanitizer at the door. Ghaly is encouraging outlets to change from direct payment at a cash register and move to a "click and swipe methodology."
Plant workers at warehouses and manufacturers should be further apart, and Ghaly suggests perhaps break rooms will be closed down to prevent people from congregating.
"Delivery drivers will have different personal protective equipment than they did before COVID-19 became a reality,” Ghaly said.
Employers must train employees on how to limit the spread of Covid-19 and how to screen for symptoms on a daily basis. Each location will be required to have a site-specific protection plan including cleaning and disinfecting protocols, Ghaly explained.
Industry-wide guidance will be issued shortly, but some businesses will be able to move further into stage two, which may include the reopening of offices and dining inside a restaurant.
Modifications to the stay-at-home order allow residents to move from phase one into phase two. Stage one involves the strict stay-at-home order, with only essential businesses remaining open. Phase two includes "lower risk" workplaces like retail, manufacturing, and offices. Phase three will include personal care businesses like salons and gyms, and the final phase is for the "highest risk" businesses like sporting events and concerts.
