May 4 (UPI) -- Florida, Ohio and Indiana are among more states that are instituting eased coronavirus-related restrictions beginning Monday.
Restaurants and retail businesses in Florida are allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity on Monday, as part of the first phase of a plan announced last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The plan does not apply, however, to the three counties of the Miami metropolitan area -- Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.
Fitness centers and bars, however, are not among the businesses that can reopen anywhere in the state.
Also, state parks, including some with beach access, will begin reopening with some restrictions on Monday. They will have limited facilities while those connected to beaches will allow active recreation only, such as walking, jogging, swimming and fishing. Sunbathing, chairs, canopies or coolers will not be allowed.
DeSantis was in Daytona Beach on Sunday to meet with health officials and discuss the possibility of allowing hospitals to resume elective surgeries.
In Ohio, manufacturing, distribution, construction and office work returns Monday under a multistage reopening plan announced last month by Gov. Mike DeWine.
There are a series of social distancing guidelines, however, that include at least six feet of space between people, mandatory face coverings, required hand washing, easily available hand sanitizer and staggered arrival of employees and guests.
In offices, employers must limit capacity to less than what is allowed under local fire codes.
In South Carolina, the state's mandatory stay-at-home order expires Monday under a timetable announced last week by Gov. Henry McMaster.
The governor is also allowing restaurants across the state to provide outdoor dining in addition to takeout, curbside and delivery service. McMaster is also lifting an order requiring travelers entering the state from "hotspots" to self-quarantine for two weeks.
McMaster and state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell, however, urge anyone considered to be at-risk to limit exposure to others.
In Indiana, the second part of a five-stage reopening plan begins for most of the state.
In the initial step, underway since mid-March, essential businesses and services were allowed to open. In the second phase, social gatherings are allowed to increase to 25 people in most counties, while those age 65 and older or those at increased risk are encouraged to remain home as much as possible.
Three Indiana counties -- including Marion County, which encompasses Indianapolis -- will institute the second stage at later dates under orders Friday by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
In most of the state, manufacturers, industrial and other infrastructure operations that weren't considered essential may open beginning Monday, while retail and commercial businesses may open at 50 percent capacity.
Restaurants and bars that serve food may open starting May 11 at 50 percent capacity, but bar seating will remain closed.
Stay-home orders draw demonstrations across U.S.
Protesters rally urging the reopening of California at the Capitol in Sacramento on May 1. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Thousands showed up to urge an end to "shelter in place" because of coronavirus, social distancing, closure of non-essential businesses and to campaign for President Donald Trump in Sacramento. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
California Highway Patrol officers tussle with demonstrators at the Capitol in Sacramento. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
A demonstrator wears an American flag bandanna. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
A child holds a sign at Sacramento's demonstration. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Demonstrators rally in Sacramento. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
A demonstrator holds American flags during the protest. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Demonstrators for opening the state up visit the Capitol in Sacramento. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Protesters rally against Ohio's restrictions on public gatherings ahead of Gov. Mike DeWine's press briefing on Friday. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Some protesters carried flags, signs and guns while encouraging the reopening of the state. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Protesters have been gathering for more than three weeks against the stay-at-home orders. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
A protester stands on the side of a street to demonstrate. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Some demonstrators say they are voicing frustrations of small business owners forced to close due to the restrictions. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
A protester holds a sign reading "without freedom, there is no safety." Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
DeWine said the protests were permitted under his executive order due to First Amendment protections for free speech. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Protesters changed, "Reopen Ohio." Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
DeWine stated he respects the protesters' right to gather but urged them to keep a safe distance from each other. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Protesters said their constitutional rights are being violated by the orders. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
A protester stands on the side of a street to demonstrate against Ohio's restrictions. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
The governor said that the state has "reached a new stage," but "it doesn’t mean the virus has gone away." Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
In Washington, D.C. on Friday, activists participate in a car rally for workers' rights during the pandemic near the National Mall. The group ShutdownDC supports front-line workers, asking the district to stay "closed" and not rush to open. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
An activist decorates ar car prior to the protest. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
The group ShutdownDC supports front-line workers, asking the district to stay "closed" and not rush to open. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Truckers park their cabs on Constitution Avenue, near the White House, as they hold a protest over low rates amid the pandemic. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
In New York, a protester puts up her middle finger at police officers at a "Rally To Free New York." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
A protester argues with NYPD officers. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
The rally was also planned to take place in other New York cities on Friday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
A man wears a protective face mask at the rally. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Protesters were encouraged to wear red, white and blue -- and to maintain social distancing. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
New York officials said some streets will be reopened on Monday, though schools will be closed for the remainder of the year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
