Seven northeastern states laid the groundwork Monday for coordinating a regional plan to ease coronavirus lockdown measures and reboot their economies. 

A specific timeline for the reopening wasn't immediately spelled out, but governors of the states announced a working group on the issue. That group is expected to include a health expert, an economic development expert from each of the participating states, along with the chief of staff for each governor in those states.

Reopening decisions could have sweeping effects on law firms and court systems for the participating states, which also include New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.