Governors extend stay-at-home orders and form pacts to reopen ahead of Trump announcement
April 16, 2020 / By Nicole Chavez, Jay Croft and Faith Karimi, CNN
(CNN) – Governors are extending stay-at-home orders to fight the coronavirus and partnering with others to reopen the economy, hours before President Donald Trump is expected to announce guidelines to help states loosen social distancing restrictions.
Seven states — Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky — will work together to reopen the Midwest regional economy, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday.
“We will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education,” Whitmer said in a statement.
New York and six other Northeast states have extended stay-at-home orders through at least May 15. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also issued an executive order requiring people to wear a mask in public situations.
Trump had signaled a desire to “reopen” the economy May 1 and is expected to unveil new guidelines on Thursday.
