While it may be tempting to venture out, particularly after months of isolating yourself from friends and family, is it really safe? Here, experts share how you can assess your personal risk of contracting the coronavirus in certain situations so you can navigate your states reopening plans safely.

Check coronavirus stats in your state

Theres a wide misinterpretation of what it means it to be reopening businesses, even in phases, said Irwin Redlener , director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness and professor of public health at Columbia University in New York. People equate the word reopening to getting back to normal, and thats a very big and dangerous mistake.

Its important to listen to the caveats of each reopening phase so that you know what is expected of you as a customer, worker or business owner to help your community prevent the virus from spreading rapidly, Redlener said.

Reopening has a very localized meaning, said Felipe Lobelo, an epidemiologist and senior physician consultant in population health research for Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. People need to be aware of how much virus transmission is in their ZIP codes or counties. The more local information youre able to get, the better.

This means that while its important to know whats going on in your state, dig a little deeper and look into that stats in your town, along with the recommendations of area health officials.