Over the past few weeks, COVID-19 cases have increased around the country. As a result, some states have paused or reversed parts of their reopening plans. The NMMA team has assembled a snapshot of where the top twenty boating states stand with their reopening plans as the Fourth of July holiday approaches.

Highlights:

• States Pausing – NJ (Indoor dining), NY (NYC indoor dining), TN (counties)
• States Reversing – CA (county closures), FL (beaches), MD (beaches), TX (bars, etc.)
• All other states in this snapshot remain reopening or have not announced as of 1pm June 30.

Florida: Florida has halted their phased reopening strategy. When asked about Florida's reopening, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the state doesn't have plans for continuing its' step-by-step plan. He added that the state "never anticipated" to continue moving forward at this point. Currently, all retail businesses are open statewide and may operate at full capacity under Phase 2 of the governor's reopening plan, which requires social distancing protocols.

• Local Ordinances (Note: None of the ordinances below mention the closure of access to public boat ramps)
  • Miami Dade County - Mayor Gimenez signed an emergency order closing all County beaches starting July 3 and restricting any gatherings, parades of more than 50 people. A mandatory mask policy has been adopted by Mayor Gimenez as well.
  • Broward County - Beaches in Broward County will be closed from July 3 through July 5.
  • Palm Beach County – Beaches in Palm Beach County will be closed from July 3 through July 5.

CT/NJ/NY: On June 24, the governors of the tri-state area jointly announced the travel advisory, which requires a 14-day quarantine for visitors from states whose infection rates meet certain thresholds indicating "significant community spread." Sixteen states meet these thresholds as of June 30: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.

California: California's reopening phases have been paused since June 19th. Governor Newsome has ordered bars, brewpubs and nightclubs to close immediately on June 28 in the following counties: Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, San Joaquin and Tulare. He recommended that bars in the following counties close: Contra Costa, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Stanislaus and Ventura. San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced on June 26, that the city will delay it's reopening planned for June 29. Beaches in Los Angeles County will be closed over the July 4th weekend – closing from Friday July 3 and reopening Monday July 5.

Connecticut: Other than the travel advisory, no change to the phased reopening plans. The state remains in Phase 2. Travel advisory for Connecticut/NJ/NY issued June 24, which requires a 14-day quarantine for visitors from states whose infection rates meet certain thresholds indicating "significant community spread." Sixteen states meet these thresholds as of June 30: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.

Georgia: On Monday, June 29, Governor Kemp renewed the public health state of emergency and announced a pause in the states' reopening plan until July 15th considering the recent spike in positive COVID cases. For more information, read here.

Illinois: On Friday, June 26, Illinois and Chicago moved into Phase 4 (Revitalization). This phase allows for additional openings such as casinos, gyms and increased indoor dining. As of Monday morning – Governor Pritzker nor Mayor Lightfoot have indicated a reverse in course. It is expected Illinois/Chicago will remain in Phase 4 for quite some time before moving into the final Phase (5). No changes to access.

Indiana: Indiana will move into final phase of reopening on July 4 – which essential reopens the economy entirely – evening allowing large events such as fairs, festivals and sports events to open. No access impacts.

Maryland: Maryland continues to reopen with Prince George's entering Phase 2. This is the final county to enter Phase 2 and allows casinos, shopping malls and gyms to reopen. On June 23, Queen Anne County voted to make beach access for county residents only effective July 1.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts is currently in Phase 2, Step 2 of the reopening plan. Governor Baker has not made any announcements changing the reopening plans due to increases in COVID around the country. Cases in Massachusetts continue to decrease.

Michigan: Michigan has dropped out of Top 10 COVID case states due to other states increasing. While seeing a slight uptick in the recent days, June has been relatively flat for Michigan. The state is split in terms of Phase 4/5 - but at this time no changes to reverse course. No access impacts.

Minnesota: Minnesota cases and deaths continue to decline. MN is currently in Phase 3 for reopening – which allows restaurants/retail etc. to be open with capacity limits (50%). No access impacts.

Missouri: Governor Parson moved the state into Phase 2, which contains no statewide public health order. Missouri is fully open for business. Businesses that are less than 10,000 square feet must maintain 25 percent or less of the authorized occupancy. Businesses larger than 10,000 square feet must maintain 10 percent or less of the authorized occupancy. Retail sales are open at full capacity without coronavirus-related restrictions.

New Jersey: Governor Murphy has paused plans for indoor dining indefinitely. New Jersey is currently in Phase 2 and is expected to reopen outdoor amusement and waterparks including the boardwalk rides July 2. Travel advisory for Connecticut/NJ/NY issued June 24, which requires a 14-day quarantine for visitors from states whose infection rates meet certain thresholds indicating "significant community spread." Sixteen states meet these thresholds as of June 30: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.

New York: Governor Cuomo is continuing the phased reopening plan. NYC is in Phase 2 of reopening. Capital Region, Mid-Hudson & Long Island are in Phase 3. Other regions are in Phase 4. NYC is looking to enter phase 3 on July 5th but they may delay indoor dining – decision will be coming on Wed July 1. NYC beaches will reopen for swimming July 1. Broadway shows have been suspended through the remainder of 2020. Travel advisory for Connecticut/NJ/NY issued June 24, which requires a 14-day quarantine for visitors from states whose infection rates meet certain thresholds indicating "significant community spread." Sixteen states meet these thresholds as of June 30: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.

North Carolina: North Carolina is currently in "phase 2" of its reopening plan, with retail businesses and restaurants open with capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements. The state was supposed to move into the next phase of the reopening plan Friday (6/26), but Gov. Cooper announced that the move is now on pause and the state will stay in the current phase for another three weeks.

Ohio: Late last week, Governor DeWine announced he is looking at potential county by county restrictions for Ohio COVID-19 hot spots – a reverse in course from statewide plans. Last Friday saw the biggest spike in cases (just under 1k) since April. Currently manufacturing and retail are open – no impact to access.

South Carolina: On June 11th, Governor McMaster eliminated all retail capacity restrictions in the state of South Carolina. Retailers that intend to open at full capacity are encouraged to follow the following guidance from the Department of Health and Environmental Control, click here.

Tennessee: Governor Lee lifted all capacity restrictions on retail businesses with the signing of executive order #30. Nashville metro is currently in Phase 3 of their reopening, with no current plans to pause or go backwards, although they have instituted a mandatory mask policy city wide. The city of Memphis is in phase 2 and will remain in this phase for the time being (they were originally scheduled to enter phase 3 last week.)

Texas: Governor rolled back the state's phased reopening plan and ordered further restrictions on businesses including bars after a 79% increase in weekly COVID cases. All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51% of their receipts from alcohol are required to close. Rafting and tubing businesses must also close. Outdoor gatherings of 100 or more must be approved by local governments. Cameron County in South Padre Island closed beaches and parks for a short period of time in July due to an increase in cases.

Washington: Governor Inslee announced on June 27, the state halted eight counties from moving into the Phase 4 of their reopening plan. "Phase 4" of the state's reopening plan would resume all recreational activities (overnight activities) and would allow for gatherings of more than 50 people. No counties are currently in Phase 4.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin has seen an upward trend in COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks – but after the Supreme Court overruled the Governors stay-at-home order there have only been county by county restrictions. Last week, Senator Ron Johnson suggested there might be a need for further restrictions on bars (Wisconsinites are known for their heavy drinking). Businesses are not subject to state wide restrictions so are largely operating, but could be impacted by county regs. No access impacts.