US sees signs of 'new normal' as states lift COVID restrictions

With states across the country rolling back restrictions and Americans returning to pre-pandemic activities, life in the U.S. is looking a lot more normal this summer.

With states across the country rolling back COVID-19 restrictions and vaccinated Americans returning to pre-pandemic activities, life in the United States is looking a lot more normal this summer. Among the states that have eased rules, New York lifted its midnight curfew for bars and restaurants on Monday. In Massachusetts, all pandemic-related businesses restrictions were eased on Saturday and businesses can now operate at 100% capacity. Monday marks the first day of full reopening in Pennsylvania, when COVID-19 rules about restaurants, gatherings and businesses lift, according to the governor. In advance of Memorial Day weekend, New Jersey ended its indoor mask mandate, making it one of the last states to update its guidance to match the masking recommendations the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends. At the same time, the governor eased rules about social distancing at businesses and ended the prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants. Those new rules went into effect Friday. "It is time to begin our new normal," Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam wrote in an executive order ending public health restrictions in the state due to coronavirus. His order, which ended capacity limits and social distancing at businesses, went into effect on Friday.