As the region enters the third month of shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northeast governors have begun to announce their plans for a phased reopening of their state economies. Several governors have formed Advisory Boards, comprised of health officials, business leaders, and state and local government officials, to study how and when states can safely reopen. Some of the key segments the boards will focus on over the next several months include public health, economic impact, education, and community support. The governors continue to collaborate with each other to ensure a smooth regional recovery strategy.

Generally, to begin reopening their economies, governors need to see ramped up testing, a decline in hospitalizations, stockpiling PPE, ensuring tracing, isolation and quarantine procedures are in place. Also a key part of reopening will be continuing social distancing as well as wearing face masks.

Governors from seven Northeast states have announced a multi-state agreement to develop a regional supply chain for PPE and Medical Equipment. Read more here and here.

Governor Cuomo and Governor Hogan Call on Congress to Act on State Fiscal Relief

Additionally, Governors Cuomo, Murphy, Lamont, and Carney Announce Multi-state Agreement on Beaches Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.

We’ve compiled some recent stories and links to the various state activities around reopening their economies below.

Connecticut

• Governor Lamont Announces Distribution of Infrared Thermometers to Eligible Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Places of Worship
• Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Receives Its Largest Shipment of PPE to Date in the Fight to Combat COVID-19
• Governor Lamont Announces Classes at K-12 Public Schools Will Remain Canceled for the Rest of the Academic Year
• Governor Lamont Urges Local Governments and Community Partners to Establish Long-Term Recovery Committees
• Governor Lamont Announces Members of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group
• Governor Lamont discusses what needs to happen for state to reopen

Maine

• Mills Administration Announces Update to Restarting Maine’s Economy Plan
• Governor Mills Announces New Major Federal Funding Will Be Used To Expand Lab and Testing Capacity Across Maine
• Governor Mills, Maine Congressional Delegation Convene Call on COVID-19 All pledge to work together in support of more Federal support for State and local governments
• Governor Mills Extends State of Civil Emergency As Maine Continues to Combat COVID-19
• Governor Mills Introduces Rural Reopening Plan
• Governor Mills Convenes Expert Committee to Advise on State’s Economic Recovery
• Governor Mills Presents Safe, Gradual Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy
• Restarting Maine’s Economy
  

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Implements Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
• Reopening Massachusetts: Baker-Polito Administration Initiates Transition to First Phase of Four-Phase Approach
• Baker-Polito Administration & Employer Community Announce Continuation of Work From Home Policies to Support Safe Reopening of Massachusetts Economy
• Baker-Polito Administration Files Supplemental Budget Bill to Authorize $1 Billion in COVID-19 Spending
• Baker-Polito Administration Announces Four-Phase Approach to Reopening and Publishes Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards
• Baker aims for some business to start reopening May 18, but coronavirus numbers are still fluctuating (Boston Globe)

New Hampshire

• Governor Sununu issues Third Extension of State Emergency
• Governor Sununu issued Emergency Order authorizing temporary health partners to assist in responding to the COVID-19 in long-term care facilities
• Governor Sununu’s Economic Reopening Task Force
  

New York

• Governor Cuomo Announces Eighth Region on Track to Hit Benchmark to Begin Reopening Tuesday, May 26^th
• Governor Cuomo Announces Three Regions of New York State Ready to Begin Reopening May 15th
• Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Outlines Additional Guidelines for When Regions Can Re-Open
• Governor Cuomo Announces Schools and College Facilities Statewide Will Remain Closed for the Rest of the Academic Year
• Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Outlines Additional Guidelines for Phased Plan to Re-open New York
  

Rhode Island

• Governor Raimondo Extends Travel Restrictions and Gathering Size Limits Through Phase 1, Unveils Plans for Phase 2 of Reopening
• Raimondo Details Metrics for Moving Between Phases of Reopening
• Raimondo Signs Executive Order Officially Lifting Stay-At-Home Order, Gives RIDOH Authority to Enforce Public Health Directives
• Raimondo Ordering Face Coverings in Public in RI (GoLocalProv)
• Raimondo Details Plans for Phase 1: Retail, Restaurants to Operate Under New Regulations
• Governor Raimondo, Congressional Delegation highlight uses for Coronavirus Relief Funding
• Governor Unveils “Reopen RI” Framework for Reopening Economy

Vermont

• Governor Phil Scott Announces Limited Reopening of Restaurants, Hair Salons, Additional Health Services
• Governor Phil Scott Extends State of Emergency as Data-Driven Restart Continues
• Want a COVID-19 test? Vermont now offering them to people without symptoms (My Champlain Valley)
• Governor Phil Scott Announces Re-Opening of Some Outdoor Recreation and Limited Social Interactions in Latest Restart Phase
• Scott announces ‘gradual reopening’ of retail will begin on May 18 (VT Digger)
• Scott relaxes ‘Stay Home’ rules to allow small gatherings, playdates, golf and outdoor recreation (VT Digger)
• Governor Phil Scott Announces Additional Economic Re-Opening Steps