Name: These states are rolling back Covid restrictions, including mask mandates and indoor capacity caps
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These states are rolling back Covid restrictions, including mask mandates and indoor capacity caps

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SectionsTVFeatured Follow NBC News More from NBC© 2020 NBCNEWS.COMBy Tim Fitzsimons and The Associated PressIn the first week of March, governors in , , Arizona, West Virginia and Connecticut announced significant loosening of statewide pandemic restrictions like mask mandates and indoor capacity limits.These states joined several others in loosening statewide coronavirus restrictions in early 2021.In 2020, some states, like Georgia and Alaska, chose never to implement statewide mask mandates. Last September, Florida became one the largest states to roll back Covid capacity restrictions when Gov. Ron DeSantis .On March 5, the number of Covid-19 cases in the United States since the start of the pandemic crossed 29 million, according to an . More than 524,000 people have died across the U.S.NBC News is keeping tabs on these developments. Check back again for updates.On Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey Alabama's statewide mask mandate, in effect since July 2020, but said it would . The Republican governor also cautioned against hasty moves toward reopening.“We need to get past Easter," Ivey said, adding that Alabama would not follow other states and immediately end restrictions without allowing more time for "more Alabamians to get their first shot.""Folks, we are not there yet, but goodness knows we’re getting closer,” Ivey said.Republican Gov. Steve Ducey ending indoor capacity restrictions at state venues including "restaurants, gyms, theaters, water parks, bowling alleys, and bars providing dine in services."The Grand Canyon State never had a statewide mask mandate: "We always knew that fighting this virus would be dependent on the personal responsibility of everyday Arizonans," Ducey said .In February, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson most indoor capacity restrictions, but extended the statewide mask mandate through March 31. The state's mask mandate will end on that date if test positivity and hospitalization rates are below certain thresholds, Hutchinson said.Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the state would lift indoor capacity restrictions at dining establishments, libraries, museums, gyms, retail, offices, and houses of worship on March 19, "Most importantly, we are keeping the mask mandate," Lamont at a press conference March 4. "It's probably the most important thing you can do.""This is not Texas, this is not Mississippi, this is Connecticut," Lamont said. "We have much lower infections than those mask-less states, much lower, and we are going to keep going with what works."However, with social distancing and cleaning protocols still in effect, many restaurants will not be able to seat the same number of guests as they could before the pandemic, and bars will remain closed.The state's mask mandate, first issued in November 2020, by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.Republican Gov. Tate Reeves announced the end of Mississippi's statewide mask mandate on March 2."Our hospitalizations and case numbers have plummeted, and the vaccine is being rapidly distributed," Reeves . "It is time!"Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte announced the end of Montana's statewide mask mandate on Feb. 12, though several local jurisdictions have kept them in place.Prior to rescinding the order, Gianforte a Biden administration mandate to wear masks on federal land as making "as much sense as hugging a grizzly."The state's mask mandate was first enacted in July 2020 by Gianforte's Democratic predecessor, former Gov. Steve Bullock.The state first enacted a mask mandate in November, which was extended once before in January 2021.The Palmetto State never had a statewide mask mandate, but on March 5 Republican Gov. Henry McMaster mandatory requirements that they be worn in state government buildings and restaurants.The executive order still recommends that face coverings be worn in restaurants and anywhere people can't stay 6 feet apart. It will be up to administrative officials and restaurant operators to develop their own Covid-19 guidelines.McMaster at a vaccine event said "this is getting better every day," hospitalization and death numbers have improved, and anyone 55 or older will be eligible for the vaccine . The South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus as the virus continues to sicken and kill, and said it was done "to score political points."The Lone Star State's mask mandate came into effect in July and will end on March 10, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced at a press conference on March 2."It is now time to open Texas 100 percent," Abbott .Abbott said that “too many Texans were sidelined from employment opportunities” while businesses operate at reduced capacity because of coronavirus restrictions.Shortly after, President Joe Biden Texas' move as "Neanderthal thinking."Republican Gov. Jim Justice that bars and restaurants will be able to operate at 100 percent seating capacity as of March 6, though some restrictions on standing room congregation remain in effect, according to “We absolutely expect you to continue to wear your mask,” Justice said. “We are not backing off of our mask mandate at this time.”"I can't stand these masks myself, I get that and everything, none of us can," Justice said. But he warned that seeing "one robin" fly by does not mean winter is over."Let's just don't get too anxious to lift everything away and then get some level of whiplash that really hurts us," Justice said.Republican Gov. Mark Gordon announced on March 8 that the state would repeal its statewide mask mandate and "allow bars, restaurants, theaters and gyms to resume normal operations on March 16," .Gordon said that face masks will remain mandatory inside of the state's schools and encouraged residents "to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces and to follow the best practices adopted by any business they visit to slow the spread of the virus."Tim Fitzsimons is a reporter for NBC News.&nbsp;

SectionsTVFeatured Follow NBC News More from NBC© 2020 NBCNEWS.COMBy Tim Fitzsimons and The Associated PressIn the first week of March, governors in , , Arizona, West Virginia and Connecticut announced significant loosening of statewide pandemic restrictions like mask mandates and indoor capacity limits.These states joined several others in loosening statewide coronavirus restrictions in early 2021.In 2020, some states, like Georgia and Alaska, chose never to implement statewide mask mandates. Last September, Florida became one the largest states to roll back Covid capacity restrictions...

These states are rolling back Covid restrictions, including mask mandates and indoor capacity caps

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