Michigan Stay-Home Order Lifted: What It Means
MICHIGAN — Michigan's stay-home order has been lifted, with retailers, bars and restaurants soon to reopen, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday at a news conference.
The move will allow retailers to open Thursday and bars and restaurants to open on Monday, but with limitations. Whitmer also announced the state is advancing into Phase 4 of the governor's MI Safe Start plan for reopening Michigan's economy. Whitmer said that later this week she plans on allowing regions in Northern Michigan to move to Phase 5.
"We can't let our guard down, but now we are in a position to move forward," Whitmer said.
Michigan has reported 57,532 cases of the coronavirus as of Monday morning. The state reported 135 new cases Monday to reach that total. Meanwhile, Michigan reported 25 deaths Monday, bringing the statewide death toll to 5,516.
However, the number of new cases reported daily has been on a downward trend, a sign that Michigan was ready to open up, officials said.
"We've made some sacrifices when it comes to the global pandemic, and we're seeing our numbers continue to improve and that is cause for feeling optimistic," Whitmer said.
According to the plan, released May 7 by the governor's office, reaching Phase 4 means the state is "improving," and that "cases, hospitalizations and deaths are clearly declining." In Phase 4, distancing and face masks are required to continue, but small gatherings are allowed. It also allows some retail businesses to reopen with capacity limits, and allows for some office work to reopen.
Parts of Northern Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula and the greater Traverse City area, had already allowed some of these restrictions to be eased. Whitmer's announcement on Monday expands that to the entire state.
What is Allowed?
Day camps for children will likewise be permitted to open on June 8. Effective immediately, groups of 100 or less will be allowed gather outdoors with social distancing. Office work that is not capable of being performed remotely can resume. And in-home services, including housecleaning services, can resume operations.
Michiganders must continue to wear facial coverings when in enclosed public spaces and should continue to take all reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
Subject to local regulation, gyms and fitness centers may conduct outdoor classes, practices, training sessions, or games, provided that coaches, spectators, and participants maintain six feet of distance from one another during these activities. Outdoor pools can also reopen, with restricted capacity.
A full list of types of business allowed to be open can be found here.
Whitmer said residents should "stay smart" and get tested, adding it's on everyone to "get this right."
"We've come a long way together, and there's no doubt we've made a lot of sacrifice and it's been tough," Whitmer said. "It's been hard on our communities and our small business owners and our neighbors and our loves ones. We've lost too many to this virus."
This article originally appeared on the Detroit Patch
