GOVERNORS have started announcing plans to re-open their states after Trump gave them to green light to end coronavirus lockdowns if they have “beautiful low” case numbers.

And a number of states in the US are "very close" to having coronavirus testing in place, the first step in the drive to reopen the nation, according to the CDC chief.

Governors across the country are already looking to start easing stay at home restrictions following President Trump's Opening Up America Again plan.

And many states are near ready to launch phase one of the plan, which revolves around testing capabilities, according to Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"I think there's a number of jurisdictions that are very close to having that capability [to roll out coronavirus testing]," he said during an appearance on NBC Friday morning.

"People have to look at what the real strategic role of testing is and at this point it's to make that rapid early diagnosis, which then you can affirm and then isolate and then do the contacts then test, figure out of the contacts who's infected, isolate those individuals then do their contacts — it's really the traditional public health approach for containment," Redfield said.

On Friday afternoon, Texas Governor Greg Abbott will share details of his plan to reopen his state's economy, while officials from a handful of other states, including Alabama, Florida, Ohio, Mississippi and Oklahoma are also expected to announce reopenings within the next week.

He is due to issue an executive order on Friday that would focus on economic revitalization and prioritizing commerce with "minimal or zero impact on the spread of COVID-19".

Red states will announce lifting of restrictions "perhaps within days," an analysis by Axios noted, with Texas and Florida to "set the standard" among the red states.

On Thursday, demonstrators protested in Michigan against Governor Gretchen Whitmer's stay at home orders, saying restrictions were dooming small business.

Similar protests against coronavirus restrictions have happened in North Carolina and Kentucky, as people become increasingly frustrated by the financial toll of the shutdown.

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) released a model on Thursday which predicted the US could see a surge in coronavirus cases if state lockdowns are eased too soon.

Despite this, it seems many states will be ploughing ahead with their plans to lift restrictions, urged on by a number of tweets from the president on Friday, calling to "liberate" Michigan, Virginia and Minnesota.

Florida

Beaches and parks in Duval County, Florida, are to reopen with restrictions at 5pm on Friday.

Mayor Lenny Curry said the areas would be open for recreational activities consistent with social distancing guidelines.

Walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, taking care of pets and surfing are allowed; sunbathing, towels, blankets, chairs, coolers and grills are not.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is due to announce his plan to get the state back to normal next week.

Alabama

A plan is due to be presented to Governor Kay Ivey this Friday, detailing how the state will reopen its economy.

Ohio

Gov Mike DeWine will begin reopening his state on May 1.

"We are working on (specifics) and will be talking about this in the days ahead. We will be dealing with the schools shortly, probably early next week," he said, according to CNN.

With regards to big crowds, the state will take this a "few weeks at a time to see where we are".

Oklahoma

The state may open as soon as April 30, with elective surgeries resuming in hospitals on April 24.

State officials are working on plans to "slowly step back in" to normal life, including reopening non-essential businesses.

Gov Kevin Stitt has extended Oklahoma's Safer at Home order for adults over the age of 65 and other vulnerable people until May 6.

Tennessee

Gov Bill Lee has discussed reopening the state in phases to boost economy.

Four mayors from the state's largest cities have created a task force to coordinate reopening businesses.

Source: Read Full Article