After a year of harsh Covid-19 restrictions and mask mandates, event venues around the country are finally starting to reopen. With restrictions beginning to ease and mask mandates still in effect in many areas, many states are returning to normal business — with a few changes.
As the vaccination campaign progresses and case numbers drop, let’s explore the state-by-state restrictions on hosting and attending events in the United States.
According to nytimes.com, this is the criteria in order to open events for the remaining, still mandated states:
A state is considered fully reopened once specific restrictions have been lifted statewide. However, many states still require masking and social distancing when it comes to social gatherings and events. Let’s explore the current restrictions by state.
Alabama
The governor of Alabama has announced that Alabama’s public health order will expire on May 31. Restrictions on facilities including senior care facilities, hospitals and nursing homes will be lifted. The state of emergency will end on July 6.
Currently, Alabama is open for all of the activities in a survey by nytimes.com, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Alaska
Alaska’s state of emergency declaration expired in February as mandates were replaced with advisories. The governor has also issued a statement detailing that vaccinations will not be required to travel to Alaska.
As of today, Alaska is open for all activities including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Arizona
Over a year after the pandemic began, on March 25 the governor of Arizona allowed businesses and event venues to resume normal operations and lifted local mask mandates.
Arizona is also open for all activities including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Arkansas
Arkansas has been open since March 30, with statewide mask requirements lifted. In the state of Arkansas, businesses still have the right to ask customers to wear masks if they deem it necessary.
Arkansas is officially open for all activities including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
California
Although California is still requiring masks indoors, the state has lifted many restrictions to align with CDC recommendations of vaccinated citizens. As long as hospitalization levels remain low and vaccine supply is sufficient, the state of California plans to lift risk tiers and business restrictions on June 15.
Although Covid restrictions are still in effect, California is allowing 7 out of 8 activities including:
Retail ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (movie, TV, music) ✅
Food and Drink ?
Colorado
Although there is not a scheduled reopening date for Colorado, the governor has eased restrictions on most activities. The mask mandate extends through at least June with some exceptions, and there are still light restrictions when it comes to large gatherings and mandating masks.
With there are still regulations at the discretion of local government, Colorado is allowing all activities to take place, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (office, manufacturing) ✅
Connecticut
Connecticut may see mask mandates lifted over the next few weeks, as the governor announced business restrictions will no longer be mandated as of May 19 — granted infection rates keep falling and vaccination rates continue rising.
Beginning May 1, restaurants, entertainment venues, and recreational venues were permitted to push their curfew until midnight. Bars were also permitted outdoors without requiring food to be served.
With a full reopening on the horizon, Connecticut is currently open in 7 out of 8 categories, including:
Retail ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (office, manufacturing) ✅
Food and drink ?
Delaware
The state of Delaware is set to reopen all businesses on May 21, with mask mandates and social distancing requirements still in effect.
However, mandates aren’t keeping the state from having it’s businesses open. Delaware is allowing all businesses including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Florida
The governor of Florida has suspended all Covid-19 related restrictions and mandates until July 1. After the 1st of July, these restrictions will be permanently invalidated. Businesses are also not permitted to ask patrons for proof of Covid-19 vaccination in the state of Florida.
Florida remains open for all businesses and activities, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Georgia
In late April, the governor of Georgia issued an order that eased some of the coronavirus restrictions. As of May 1, social distancing is only “strongly encouraged” instead of required in the state of Georgia. Specific restrictions and requirements for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, event venues, and other industries were lifted as well.
The state of Georgia is open for all activities, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Hawaii
Although Hawaii is currently allowing all businesses to operate, they are still under restrictions that vary from island to island. Both Honolulu and Kauai are operating under Tier 3 guidelines.
Although restrictions are in place, Hawaii is allowing all businesses to operate, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries ✅
Idaho
In early February, the governor of Idaho moved the state to Stage 3 of its reopening plan. In Idaho, gatherings are still limited to 50 individuals, although large events are permitted as long as event organizers submit a plan to their local health district. Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs may operate with seating only.
Although there are certain mandates still in effect, Idaho is allowing all businesses to open including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Illinois
On May 14 the governor of Illinois announced that they would relax capacity limits as they moved into the “Bridge Phase” of reopening. On June 15 the state may remove capacity limits altogether as they move into “Phase 5” of reopening the state.
Although masks are still required indoors, Illinois is allowing all industries to otherwise operate normally, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, offices) ✅
Indiana
The governor of Indiana lifted the statewide mask mandate on April 6 and replaced it with a mask advisory. While masks are still required in state buildings, vaccination sites, and K-12 schools, Indiana is open for all business including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, offices) ✅
Iowa
The state of Iowa has been reopened with no mask mandates nor gathering restrictions since February. Needless to say, the state allows all businesses to operate normally including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Kansas
Although their governor tried to issue mandates and restrictions on multiple occasions, restrictions in the state of Kansas are left for individual counties to decide upon.
Currently, the state of Kansas has no mask mandates and all businesses can operate including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (offices) ✅
Kentucky
The governor of Kentucky announced that he would remove capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements for most businesses once 2.5 million vaccinations have been received in the state. In the meantime, the governor has relaxed capacity restrictions, allowing most businesses to operate at 75 percent capacity beginning on May 28.
Although masks are still mandatory indoors, Kentucky is open for business:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, construction, offices) ✅
Louisiana
On April 28 the governor of Louisiana lifted the statewide mask mandate. Schools, colleges, government buildings and public transit still require masks. While some businesses may be limited to 75 percent capacity, they are permitted to operate at 100 percent capacity if they require their patrons to wear masks.
Louisiana is allowing all businesses and activities to operate, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Maine
Although masks are still required indoors in the state of Maine, the capacity for indoor gatherings is set to increase to 75 percent beginning on May 24. Outdoor gatherings will be permitted to operate at 100 percent.
Although mask mandates are still in effect, Maine businesses are open including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Maryland
Capacity restrictions and face mask requirements were lifted in the state of Maryland in March and April, respectively.
Masks are still mandatory indoors in Maine, but businesses are open:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, construction, offices) ✅
Massachusetts
While Massachusetts still has heavy restrictions in place, at least there is a timeline for removing these mandates. On May 10 amusement parks are allowed to reopen, with large venues, arenas, and stadiums permitted to operate at 25 percent capacity. On May 29 bars can reopen and gathering limits will be relaxed. The state plans to remove business restrictions and gathering limits on August 1.
Although there are heavy restrictions still in place, Massachusetts is allowing most businesses to operate under these categories:
Retail ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, construction, offices, lodging) ✅
Food and drink ?
Michigan
Late last month the governor of Michigan introduced a plan to lift restrictions based on vaccination rates. Capacity limits for businesses are scheduled to lift two weeks after 65 percent of residents are vaccinated and the gatherings and face mask order will end two weeks after 70 percent of residents are vaccinated.
Although masks are still required indoors and there are still restrictions in place, a lot of businesses are allowed to operate including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, construction, offices) ✅
*Entertainment (night clubs) ?
Minnesota
On May 7 outdoor gathering restrictions and masks were no longer required at outdoor events of less than 500 people in Minnesota. Beginning on May 28, the remaining limits on capacity and social distancing restrictions will be lifted. Once 70 percent of Minnesota residents have been vaccinated, the mask mandate will be completely lifted.
Although masks are still mandatory indoors, Minnesota is allowing businesses to operate, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, offices) ✅
Mississippi
In late April the governor of Mississippi lifted one of the last remaining restrictions on the state, allowing indoor arenas to operate at full capacity. The only requirement that remains is that masks must be worn at K-12 schools.
Mississippi is open for business, including these industries:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Missouri
All restrictions and mandates have been lifted in Missouri, much like Mississippi. The governor of Missouri has instructed all state workers to return to their offices in-person by May 17.
With no mask mandates or social distancing in effect, Missouri is completely open:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Montana
Limits on business capacity and gatherings were lifted in January in the state of Montana. On February 12 the statewide mask order expired. An order in April was submitted by the governor to prohibit businesses from requiring patrons to provide proof of vaccination.
Montana is completely open:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Nebraska
Nebraska has removed all capacity limits and mandates as of late January of this year.
Businesses in Nebraska can operate normally:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Nevada
On May 1 the governor of Nevada eased statewide social distancing requirements, allowing individual counties to decide. The governor has set a goal of reopening business capacity to 100 percent in all counties by June 1, although a statewide mask mandate will remain in effect.
As long as you’re wearing a mask indoors, these businesses can operate normally in Nevada:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
New Hampshire
In March New Hampshire’s governor relaxed restrictions, allowing retail businesses to operate at 100 percent capacity. The statewide mask mandate expired on April 16 and remaining business restrictions expired on May 8.
With no masks required in New Hampshire, it’s business as usual for these industries:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
New Jersey
The state of New Jersey saw outdoor gathering limits increased to 500 people on May 7. By May 19, the state is planning to remove capacity limits on outdoor gatherings. New Jersey will also lift capacity limits on most businesses beginning on May 19, however, social distancing will still be required.
Currently, masks are still required in New Jersey, but most businesses remain open:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (construction) ✅
New Mexico
The criteria for reopening the state of New Mexico and removing most restrictions is that 60 percent of New Mexico residents must be fully vaccinated.
Although masks are mandated indoors in New Mexico, most industries are open:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
New York
With no reopening date set, New York still has some of the harshest restrictions in the country. Although most percentage-based capacity limits are planned to be lifted by May 19, social distancing will still be encouraged. Furthermore, outdoor gathering limits will increase to 500 people on May 10, with indoor gathering limits increasing to 250 by May 19.
However, hope is on the horizon as broadway shows are set to resume at full capacity by September.
Although masks are mandated indoors, New York is allowing many businesses to continue operating:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (construction, manufacturing, construction, offices, film and TV production) ✅
North Carolina
The governor of North Carolina has stated that he plans to remove all social distancing, capacity, and gathering restrictions by June 1. Currently, the governor has raised the gathering limit to 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors.
While masks are still required in certain places in North Carolina, most businesses are operating:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
North Dakota
The statewide mask mandate for North Dakota expired in January and capacity limits were no longer required. With no masks and no capacity limits, North Dakota is back to business as usual for all industries including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Ohio
With cases in Ohio on the decline, the governor has announced a plan to lift the mask mandate and all Covid-19 health orders by June 2.
Although masks currently are mandatory indoors, Ohio is limping back to business as usual in these businesses:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, distribution, construction, offices) ✅
Oklahoma
Oklahoma was one of the first states to lift restrictions all the way back in June 2020. The state emergency was lifted nearly a year later on May 4.
With no masks required anywhere, Oklahoma businesses are open including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (offices) ✅
Oregon
The governor of Oregon stated that all business restrictions should be lifted by the end of June. On May 7 indoor dining, indoor entertainment, gyms, and religious events were permitted at 25 percent capacity.
Although masks are required indoors and there are strict capacity limits, many businesses in Oregon are still open, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Pennsylvania
Beginning on May 31, the governor announced that all restrictions will be lifted. The mask mandate is scheduled to be lifted once 70 percent of adults are fully vaccinated.
Although mask mandates are still in effect, many Pennsylvanian businesses are operating as usual:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Rhode Island
On May 7 the governor increased capacity limits on indoor dining, houses of worship, retail stores, gyms, and personal services to 80 percent in the state of Rhode Island. Masks are still required indoors and outdoors if social distancing cannot be maintained. Beginning on May 28, capacity limits for all businesses and social gatherings will be limited, but three feet of spacing and mask wearing will still be required indoors.
Although Rhode Island is still requiring masks, many businesses are beginning normal operations again:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (offices, malls) ✅
South Carolina
South Carolina currently has no mandates or social distancing requirements. On March 19 the governor required nursing homes and assisted living facilities to allow visitation to all residents “if there is no risk of Covid-19 transmission.”
With no mandates or restrictions in place, South Carolina is back to business as usual:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
South Dakota
The governor of South Dakota has prohibited the government from requiring businesses to provide proof of vaccination. There are no mask mandates or other requirements in South Dakota, so businesses have been open for a while, including:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Tennessee
The governor of Tennessee ended statewide public health orders in late April. Additionally, he signed an executive order which removes local authority to issue county-level mask mandates.
Tennessee businesses can operate normally with no restrictions:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Texas
Beginning on March 10, the governor of Texas lifted all mask mandates and capacity requirements. Texas businesses can now operate under no restrictions:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, offices) ✅
Utah
On April 10 the governor of Utah ended the statewide mask mandate. However, masks are still required for gatherings of 50 or more people and in K-12 schools, although counties and local businesses can issue their own requirements.
While masks aren’t currently required in Utah, most businesses are open:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Vermont
On May 1 Vermont will allow indoor gatherings of up to 150 unvaccinated people and outdoor gatherings of up to 300. By July 4, all restrictions will become recommendations.
With masks still mandatory, bars are still closed in Vermont:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Industries (manufacturing, construction, offices) ✅
*Food and drink (bars) ?
Virginia
On May 15 the governor of Virginia is allowing capacity limits for indoor sporting events to increase to 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors. Restaurants in Virginia can now stay open and sell alcohol after midnight. If cases remain stable, the governor plans to ease the remaining restrictions by mid-June.
These businesses can still operate in Virginia, with masks still mandatory indoors:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Washington
In March the governor of Washington increased outdoor capacity limits to 50 percent. Masks are still mandatory indoors and there is no statewide reopening date set as of today. However these businesses can operate with masks required:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Washington D.C.
Beginning on May 1, the Mayor of D.C. allowed gyms, museums, retail, public pools, and libraries to operate at 50 percent capacity. Places of worship are limited to 40 percent, and movie theaters and entertainment venues are limited to 25 percent. Weddings, graduations, and other ceremonies are permitted to take place indoors and outdoors, but with capacity limits. All public schools are set to reopen this fall.
While most businesses are open in Washington D.C., there are still restrictions:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
*Entertainment (nightclubs) ?
West Virginia
The governor of West Virginia signed an executive order that removed the gathering limit and mask requirement for gyms. The statewide mask mandate is set to be lifted on June 20th and the state is currently marked as reopened.
While there are still mandatory indoor masks, most of West Virginia is business as usual:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court declared a statewide mask mandate invalid and blocked their governor from issuing a new public health order without state legislature approval back in late March.
Currently, Wisconsin is reopened and masks are not required.
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Wyoming
The governor of Wyoming removed the statewide mask mandate in mid-March, but other executive orders aren’t set to expire until May 16.
Wyoming currently has no set reopening date, but masks aren’t required and most businesses are operating close to normal:
Retail ✅
Food and drink ✅
Personal care ✅
Houses of worship ✅
Entertainment ✅
Outdoor and recreation ✅
Summary
With the devastating toll that the coronavirus and the restrictions that come with it have had on the entertainment industry and all businesses, it’s great to see most states have a plan to ease restrictions and completely reopen.
Technology rentals available in all 50 states
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