COVID-19: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Current Information On Actions States/Territories Have Taken To Address The COVID-19 Pandemic; As Well As Advocacy, Policy, And Guidance Documents For Protecting Public Health And The Economy.
Resources By Topic
Communications Critical Infrastructure Economic Development And Employers Elections Funding Health Insurance Housing Human Services Legal Long Term Care Operational Coordination Pathway to Reopening Planning & Preparedness Postsecondary Education Public Safety Schools and Childcare Special Considerations For Vulnerable Populations Supply Chain And Health System Readiness Testing Workforce And LaborLast Updated: Oct 19, 2020, 5:24 PM ET
Since the beginning of the pandemic earlier this year and the resulting economic slump, Governors have been directing their states’ resources where they are needed most and where they will achieve the greatest impact. As practical problem solvers, Governors are effectively delivering state services to protect public health and to stimulate economic recovery and growth.
The National Governors Association has provided platforms for Governors to communicate with each other and to easily follow what’s happening in other states across the country on a daily basis. We connect Governors and their key staff members with policy experts and thought leaders to help forge practical solutions to the challenges they face. Through our programs, we develop and share guidance so that Governors might find what works best to address the unique situations that arise in their states.
By accessing the best information, communicating with federal and local levels of government, and learning from each another, Governors are successfully meeting today’s pressing challenges.
Policy & Guidance
COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures for Elections
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State Actions Addressing COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
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State Guidance for Halloween, Día de los Muertos and other Fall Activities during COVID-19
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Policy Scan of States Driver’s License Rules Ahead of the Election
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Guidance on Reopening Businesses
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All Policy and Guidance Documents
Equity and Policy Preparedness During Public Health Emergencies
Public health emergencies are challenging for everyone, but especially for marginalized groups. Communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, and people in correctional facilities are at higher risk for adverse outcomes. This four-part series will help you ensure equity and policy preparedness before, during, and after public health emergencies. Kicking off in September to mark National Preparedness Month, it is intended for public health professionals, state and territorial health officials, and public health lawyers.
NGA State Coronavirus Action Network (SCAN) Calls
NGA is holding regular calls for states to hear from subject-matter experts, learn from their peers in other states, and discuss common challenges related to the coronavirus. These calls are only open to state personnel. For information on the next upcoming call, contact Kirk Williamson or Carl Amritt.
Advocacy
- Working Together For Vaccine Distribution
- Letter Requesting White House Meeting On Vaccine Distribution
- Letter Urging Congress To Extend Waiver Authorities For The COVID-19 School Nutrition Rules
- Recent Treasury Report Fails To Account For Allocated Coronavirus Relief Funds As The Country Faces Historic Drop In GDP And Record Unemployment
- Governors Urge President To Extend Title 32 Today
- Four Ways Congress Can Partner With States And Territories To Combat COVID-19
- National Governors Association Leadership Statement On Congressional Coronavirus Relief Negotiations
Needs and Resource Matching
Many local, state and federal offices are working to fill supply gaps in health care resources, personal protective equipment, and other needs. Manufacturers across the United States are racing to fill those gaps and, in some cases, are re-engineering their processes to make items in short supply. The National Governors Association and the nation’s governors are working together to provide an online hub for businesses and other organizations with supplies or services to connect with states officials regarding critical needs.
Policy and Guidance Resources by Topic
State Action Tracking
Governors are working closely with federal and local officials as well as private sector partners to address the threat of the novel coronavirus. This section outlines actions taken by governors and state and territorial leaders to date. It is not intended to be exhaustive but is meant to highlight key actions and resources that may inform other states and territories as they prepare for and respond to the novel coronavirus.
This information will be updated regularly. To share activities and resources, or for questions or updates, please email Kirk Williamson.
State Actions by Topic
State Emergency Orders
The purpose of this tracker is to share information about the current status of state COVID-19 emergency orders and information related to types of orders issued, methods of renewal, and overall duration.
State Actions Addressing Business Reopenings
This tracker indicates actions that states have taken to reopen certain business sectors previously restricted, deemed nonessential and/or required to close.
State Education Reopening Policies
This chart indicates actions that states have taken to reopen educational settings, including child care settings, camps and summer school programming, K-12 schools, and postsecondary institutions.
State Mask/Face Covering Requirements
The purpose of this tracker is to share information about the current status of orders/guidance and information related to statewide actions, effective dates, and state-specific requirements.
State Traveler Quarantine Orders/Guidance
The purpose of this tracker is to share information about the current status of orders/guidance and information related to types of restrictions, effective dates, applicability to visitors, potential penalties, and additional notes.
Additional NGA Trackers
- State Actions Addressing COVID-19 In Long-Term Care Facilities
- Policy Scan Of States Driver’s License Rules Ahead Of The Election
- State Human Services Actions & Initiatives For COVID-19
- State Commerce/Economic Development Actions & Initiatives For COVID-19
- NGA Table of Reopening Guidance by Industry Sector
External Trackers
- State-by-state tracking of approved Medicaid emergency authorities - Kaiser Family Foundation
- State-by-state tracking of guidance related to public health policies - Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
- Coronavirus-related state legislation - National Conference of State Legislatures
- State actions related to child care - Hunt Institute
- State-by-state tracking of school closures - Education Week
Resources and Actions - By State
The below links offer a chronological archive of select state/territory actions through July 31, 2020. You can view all states/territories on one page, or individual pages for each.
Contact Us
- Timothy Blute, Director, NGA Center For Best Practices (tblute@nga.org; 202-624-7854)
- Maribel Ramos, Government Relations (mramos@nga.org; 202-624-5378)
Webpage Notification and Waiver of Liability
This page includes memoranda, resources, trackers, and other materials developed by the National Governors Association (NGA) to assist governors and state governments with COVID-19 response efforts. These materials are intended to provide information that is currently in the public domain and is not intended to be used as a source for legal or professional advice. NGA and its governing bodies, officers, and employees assume no responsibility for information contained on this webpage and disclaim all civil or criminal liability in respect of such information. NGA makes no endorsements or recommendations of information provided, and visitors to this website should always seek the advice of an appropriately qualified professional pertaining to specific material references. Information contained in such materials is not exhaustive and may be changed or updated at any time. Specific disclaimers may apply in addition to certain content or parts of this webpage.