In Texas and Florida, Republican governors were expected to announce plans for a gradual reopening, according to media reports. The city of Jacksonville in Florida will allow the reopening of beaches and parks with some restrictions.
"Reopening will take time and will be done in prudent, well-thought-out steps," Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry wrote on Twitter.
"As we decide on the opening, it is important that people continue to maintain their physical distance. Beaches and parks will now be open with restrictions. There will be no big groupings, "he wrote.
President Trump, who is seeking a second term in the Nov. 3 election against what is likely to be Democrat candidate Joe Biden, on Thursday released new three-stage guidelines aimed at reviving the economy as the country continues. to fight pandemic.
In the industrial city of Michigan, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer said on Friday she hoped parts of the economy would be put to work starting May 1. Michigan, a state that Mr. Trump won by a narrow majority in 2016, has faced faster growth than an increase in infection, but residents have been pushing to reopen the economy, even protesting the issue.
Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves said he would postpone for a week the order to residents to stay at home which was expected to expire on Monday, while easing some restrictions early next week. Beaches and lakes could reopen on Monday for fishing and recreational activities, while businesses selling non-essential goods could sell custom products, he said.
"We are facilitating the business of non-essential businesses," Mr Reeves said. "I wanted to announce that everything will be reopened today, but we can't. The situation is still problematic, "he wrote.
On Friday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio canceled all activities planned for May. He said the events scheduled for June were under review.
Mr de Blasio added that New York had set a "high standard" for resuming major events involving large numbers of people.
States that meet federal criteria could enter the first phase of reopening on Friday, President Trump said yesterday.
"We have very different countries," he said. "If you look at Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, the situation is very different with New York, much different than in New Jersey."
In the rural part of Montana, 415 cases and 7 deaths were reported, and in Wajoming, 296 cases and 2 deaths, while the state of New York reported 14,776 victims, about half of the total national.
Democrats like Mr. Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Mr. Trump's plan. The guidelines "do not save the president from failure to disobey scientists as well as the lack of production and distribution of rapid tests nationwide," said Ms. Pelosi.
Mr. Trump's plan is a recommendation to state governors, with some of whom Mr. Trump has clashed during the coronavirus crisis. This marks a withdrawal of the president, who on Monday insisted he had full authority to order states to reopen the economy or continue to maintain restrictive measures.
On Thursday, New York and six other states in the northeast of the country extended the stay of house orders until May 15./VOA/
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