States of Georgia, Alaska, Oklahoma and others have announced plans to start relaxing restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, prompting mixed responses from politicians, health experts, and the general public.

The nationwide death toll from COVID-19 stands at 51,949, according to Johns Hopkins University, with nearly 5 million tests being conducted across the country.

Health experts have warned that the nation will need to be performing up to 30 million tests a week before considering relaxing any social distancing rules, echoing the guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO). To date, Georgia has conducted 107,176 tests, with 22,491 coming back positive, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Last week the Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp addressed the public on reopening the state: “In the same way that we carefully closed businesses and urged operations to end to mitigate the virus’ spread, today, we are announcing plans to incrementally, and safely, reopen sectors of our economy.

“Given the favorable data, enhanced testing and approval of our healthcare professionals, we will allow gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools and massage therapists to reopen their doors this Friday, April 24, 2020.”

Governor Kemp said these jobs and businesses have been unable to “manage inventory, deal with payroll, and take care of administrative items while we shelter in place.” As these businesses opened in Georgia, the Department of Public Health announced three more deaths from the disease, bringing the total to 899.

In Oklahoma, salons, spas, and barbershops were also allowed to be reopened, with Alaska allowing restaurants, retail shops and other businesses to open their doors, all with limitations. Speaking to the Associated Press, Amy Pembrook and her husband reopened their hair salon in the northwest Oklahoma town of Fairview after it had been shut for about a month and expressed excitement about going back to work, but have caught some criticism from people who believe it’s too early.