Georgia eateries reopen as more US states ease pandemic shutdowns

In the hardest-hit states of New York and New Jersey, part of a metropolitan region of about 32 million people, governors signaled that even limited restarting of business activities was at least weeks away.

Even though Georgia has allowed movie theaters to reopen, three major movie theater chains - AMC, Regal and Cinemark - as well as most if not all smaller exhibitors have no plans to reopen anywhere for the time being.

"We don't feel it's safe enough for our staff or our customers to just open up for regular business, even with sort of preventive measures," said Christopher Escobar, owner of the Plaza Theater, billed as Atlanta's only independent cinema.

Drive-in theaters may be an exception. The Swan Drive-In Theatre in Blue Ridge, north of Atlanta, planned to open this weekend, with new rules for parking and concessions to assure social distancing.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis said White House coronavirus task force coordinator Deborah Birx advised him on Monday his state satisfied reopening criteria. DeSantis said he would work with heavily impacted areas, including greater Miami, to see if their reopening timeframes would differ.

In the Midwest, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Monday outlined "first steps" for easing restrictions, with elective surgeries being permitted to resume this week before moves to restart the state's manufacturing and retail sectors.

Ohio's blueprint contrasted with the more cautious approach of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who said she would not be held to "artificial timelines".

The divergent progressions could complicate matters for automakers and others with interdependent industrial operations in the region.

Under a plan outlined on Monday by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, dental and medical practices and churches will be allowed to reopen on May 1, but gyms, barbershops, nail salons and bars will remain shuttered for now.

Officials in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts have for weeks emphasized more testing and contact tracing must be in place before they implement roadmaps for relaxing stay-at-home orders and other restrictions.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday that any easing must be carefully monitored and fit into a multi-state plan. Cuomo said he would likely extend stay-home orders in much of the state on May 15 but may reopen some businesses, including manufacturing and construction, in areas with fewer cases of the virus.

Reuters