OPENING UP 

AMERICA AGAIN

GUIDELINES
OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN

CRITERIA

PREPAREDNESS

PHASE GUIDELINES

The data-driven conditions each region or state should satisfy 

before proceeding to a phased opening.

What States should do to meet the challenges ahead. 

Responsibilities of individuals and employers during all phases, 

and in each specific phase of the opening.

Overview
Downward trajectory of documented cases 

within a 14-day period

Downward trajectory of positive tests as a 

percent of total tests within a 14-day period 

(flat or increasing volume of tests)

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN

(Satisfy Before Proceeding to Phased Opening)

*State and local officials may need to tailor the application of these criteria to local circumstances (e.g., metropolitan areas that have 

suffered severe COVID outbreaks, rural and suburban areas where outbreaks have not occurred or have been mild). Additionally, where 

appropriate, Governors should work on a regional basis to satisfy these criteria and to progress through the phases outlined below.

Downward trajectory of influenza-like 

illnesses (ILI) reported within a 14-day period

Downward trajectory of COVID-like 

syndromic cases reported within a 14-day 

period

SYMPTOMS CASES

Treat all patients without crisis care

Robust testing program in place for 

at-risk healthcare workers, including 

emerging antibody testing

HOSPITALS

Proposed State or Regional Gating Criteria 

AND OR

AND
Core State Preparedness Responsibilities

ü Ability to quickly set up safe and efficient 

screening and testing sites for symptomatic 

individuals and trace contacts of COVID+ 

results

ü Ability to test Syndromic/ILI-indicated persons 

for COVID and trace contacts of COVID+ results

ü Ensure sentinel surveillance sites are 

screening for asymptomatic cases and 

contacts for COVID+ results are traced (sites 

operate at locations that serve older 

individuals, lower-income Americans, racial 

minorities, and Native Americans) 

HEALTHCARE SYSTEM CAPACITY

ü Ability to quickly and independently supply sufficient Personal Protective 

Equipment and critical medical equipment to handle dramatic surge in need

ü Ability to surge ICU capacity

PLANS

ü Protect the health and safety of workers in critical industries

ü Protect the health and safety of those living and working in high-risk facilities (e.g., 

senior care facilities)

ü Protect employees and users of mass transit

ü Advise citizens regarding protocols for social distancing and face coverings

ü Monitor conditions and immediately take steps to limit and mitigate any rebounds or 

outbreaks by restarting a phase or returning to an earlier phase, depending on severity

TESTING & CONTACT TRACING

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Proposed 

Phased 

Approach

MITIGATES RISK OF RESURGENCE

PROTECTS THE MOST VULNERABLE

BASED ON UP-TO-DATE DATA AND READINESS

IMPLEMENTABLE ON STATEWIDE OR COUNTYBY-COUNTY BASIS AT GOVERNORS’ DISCRETION

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Guidelines for All Phases: Individuals

ü Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently 

used items or surfaces.

ü Avoid touching your face.

ü Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.

ü Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

ü Strongly consider using face coverings while in public, and particularly when using mass transit.

CONTINUE TO PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE

PEOPLE WHO FEEL SICK SHOULD STAY HOME 

ü Do not go to work or school. 

ü Contact and follow the advice of your medical provider. 

Continue to adhere 

to State and local 

guidance as well as 

complementary 

CDC guidance, 

particularly with 

respect to face 

coverings.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Guidelines for All Phases: Employers

ü Social distancing and protective equipment

ü Temperature checks

ü Testing, isolating, and contact tracing

ü Sanitation

ü Use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas

ü Business travel

Develop and implement appropriate policies, in accordance with Federal, State, and local 

regulations and guidance, and informed by industry best practices, regarding:

Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms. Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to 

work until cleared by a medical provider.

Develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following employee 

COVID+ test.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Phase One

FOR STATES AND REGIONS 

THAT SATISFY THE GATING CRITERIA

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS* should continue to shelter in place. Members of 

households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work 

or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus 

back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.

All individuals, WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping 

areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more 

than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be 

avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.

Avoid SOCIALIZING in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do 

not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing (e.g., receptions, trade 

shows) 

MINIMIZE NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding 

isolation following travel.

Phase One

INDIVIDUALS

*See Appendix 1 for Definition of Vulnerable Individuals

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK, whenever possible and feasible with 

business operations.

If possible, RETURN TO WORK IN PHASES.

Close COMMON AREAS where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, 

or enforce strict social distancing protocols.

Minimize NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding 

isolation following travel.

Strongly consider SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS for personnel who are 

members of a VULNERABLE POPULATION.

Phase One

EMPLOYERS

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZED YOUTH ACTIVITIES (e.g., daycare, camp) that are 

currently closed should remain closed. 

VISITS TO SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS should be prohibited. 

Those who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols 

regarding hygiene.

LARGE VENUES (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of 

worship) can operate under strict physical distancing protocols.

ELECTIVE SURGERIES can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient basis 

at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines.

GYMS can open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.

BARS should remain closed.

Phase One

SPECIFIC TYPES OF

EMPLOYERS

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Phase Two

FOR STATES AND REGIONS WITH NO EVIDENCE OF 

A REBOUND AND THAT SATISFY THE GATING 

CRITERIA A SECOND TIME

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS should continue to shelter in place. Members of 

households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work 

or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus 

back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.

All individuals, WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping 

areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more 

than 50 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be 

avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.

NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL can resume.

Phase Two

INDIVIDUALS

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK, whenever possible and feasible with 

business operations.

Close COMMON AREAS where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or 

enforce moderate social distancing protocols.

NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL can resume.

Strongly consider SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS for personnel who are 

members of a VULNERABLE POPULATION.

Phase Two

EMPLOYERS

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZED YOUTH ACTIVITIES (e.g., daycare, camp) can reopen.

VISITS TO SENIOR CARE FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS should be prohibited. Those 

who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols 

regarding hygiene.

LARGE VENUES (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of 

worship) can operate under moderate physical distancing protocols.

ELECTIVE SURGERIES can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient and 

in-patient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines.

GYMS can remain open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation 

protocols.

BARS may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable 

and appropriate.

Phase Two

SPECIFIC TYPES OF 

EMPLOYERS

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Phase Three

FOR STATES AND REGIONS WITH NO EVIDENCE OF 

A REBOUND AND THAT SATISFY THE GATING 

CRITERIA A THIRD TIME

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS can resume public interactions, but should 

practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where 

distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are 

observed.

LOW-RISK POPULATIONS should consider minimizing time spent in 

crowded environments.

Phase Three

INDIVIDUALS

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

Phase Three Resume UNRESTRICTED STAFFING of worksites.

EMPLOYERS

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
VISITS TO SENIOR CARE FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS can resume. Those 

who interact with residents and patients must be diligent regarding hygiene.

LARGE VENUES (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places 

of worship) can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.

GYMS can remain open if they adhere to standard sanitation protocols.

BARS may operate with increased standing room occupancy, where 

applicable.

Phase Three

SPECIFIC TYPES OF 

EMPLOYERS

EACH PHASE OF THIS GUIDANCE ADDRESSES THOSE ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE FOR WHICH RESTRICTIONS REMAIN APPROPRIATE DUE TO COVID.

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN
Appendix

1. Elderly individuals.

2. Individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high 

blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and 

those whose immune system is compromised such as by chemotherapy 

for cancer and other conditions requiring such therapy.

Vulnerable Individuals

OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN