The news can be confusing. We hear that the nation is slowly reopening. Each state has a different plan, and county, and even each city! But a few clicks can keep you informed.

Generally speaking this is a State issue. While the Federal government can give guidelines on how a State operates – including rules about opening businesses, wearing masks, etc. – only a State can make laws that govern behavior on the ground. Even each county and city is in charge of how reopening goes in their particular municipality. Though most States require that rules should not be less restrictive than the State level.

The United States Reopening Plan is located on the official White House website if you are looking to find out what the Federal plan looks like.

To find out what affects you, start with your own State’s website. In California, for instance, there are stages which you can find out about on the California road map site. Looking for your State’s official website is simple. The IRS has culled a list of each state government website so you can easily click through to the reopening plan.

If you are looking for more specific information on COVID-19 you can go to the CDC’s website where they list the websites for the health departments in each State.

And if you are looking for information about what is required in your particular city, you can easily find your city by searching the name and “official website” which will usually end with a .org. Particularly if you own a business it is important to get the information that directly affects you. And revisit often as this is a dynamic situation and you don’t want to be either behind or ahead of the curve.