Three US states have allowed some shops to reopen after measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, as the country’s death toll passed 51,000.
Salons and spas could reopen in Georgia and Oklahoma while Alaska lifted restrictions on restaurants.
On Friday, President Donald Trump walked out of a shorter than usual briefing, refusing to take questions.
He has faced criticism after suggesting that disinfectant could potentially be used to treat the virus.
His remarks have been condemned as dangerous by doctors and manufacturers. Disinfectants are hazardous substances and can be poisonous if ingested, and even external exposure can be dangerous to the skin, eyes and respiratory system.
Mr Trump said on Friday that the comments – made at a news conference one day earlier – were sarcastic and taken out of context.
Customers visiting the newly reopened businesses in Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska will be expected to continue adhering to social distancing measures. But some cities and areas have decided to keep their lockdowns in place.
In Georgia, which has one of the fastest reopening timetables in the country, bowling alleys, spas, hair and nail salons, tattoo parlours and other personal care businesses will be allowed to resume operations. On Monday, dine-in restaurants and theatres will be allowed to re-open.
With unemployment claims reaching 26 million people – or around 15 per cent of the population – since mid-March, many US states are feeling the pressure to resume trading.
But health experts have warned that the steps might be happening too soon, amid fears they could spark another wave of infections. After being criticised by Mr Trump, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp tightened some of the sanitation and social distancing requirements for restaurants.
In the White House briefing that lasted just over 20 minutes, President Trump asked people to continue to follow rules around social distancing and the use of face masks.
Also on Friday, Mr Trump signed a $484bn (£391bn) economic stimulus bill into law, saying he wanted to “rush economic relief to our citizens”.
It is the fourth Covid-19 relief package passed by Washington, and allocates funds towards greater testing, hospitals and a small business loan programme. -BBC
