Just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is taking action to allow certain businesses in some parts of the state to re-open as early as this Friday, however the re-opening does not include any location in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
Whitmer told the state in her Monday afternoon update today that bars, restaurants and retail businesses in two geographic regions will be allowed to re-open this weekend, but with many rules regarding how they can do so. The major sectors of the state include the Upper Peninsula, and in the Lower Peninsula, the Traverse City region.
In those locations, Whitmer says that bars and restaurants can re-open, however they must limit capacity to 50-percent and keep groups six feet apart from one another. Additionally, all servers must wear face coverings at all times during their hours of operations.
Additionally, retail businesses in those regions will be allowed to re-open at some capacity as laid out in her latest executive orders.
In addition to the Upper Peninsula, the 17 counties in the northern portion of the Lower considered on her regional map as the Traverse City region are allowed to re-open those sectors under the assigned conditions. Those counties include:
- Antrim
- Alpena
- Benzie
- Charlevoix
- Cheboygan
- Crawford
- Emmet
- Grand Traverse
- Kalkaska
- Leelanau
- Manistee
- Missaukee
- Montmorency
- Otsego
- Presque Isle
- Roscommon
- Wexford
Whitmer says, “This is a big step, but we must all remember to continue doing our part to protect ourselves and our families from the spread of COVID-19.
Whitmer says her new order does not remove the ability of individual cities, villages and townships to take a more cautious approach if they wish. By way of example, she says that local units of government in those two regions can mandate such things as only allowing outdoor seating at bars and restaurants if they wish tighter restrictions.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive, says, “The data shows that these regions in Michigan are seeing consistent encouraging trends when it comes to the number of cases, deaths, and the percent of tests that are positive for COVID-19,” thereby allowing some re-opening of those areas.
So just two of the eight regions designated by the governor’s re-opening plan across the state get the release at this time. The current stay home, stay safe plan in Michigan remains in effect through May 28th at this juncture.
Concurrent with her release of those areas, Gov. Whitmer signed executive order 2020-91 to ensure robust protections for Michigan workers as she continues this re-engagement of parts of the economy. Her executive order requires all businesses to adhere to strict safety guidelines to protect their workers, their patrons, and their communities from infection. Additionally, to foster compliance, the governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-6 to appoint a Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).
The governor says, “The vast majority of Michigan businesses are doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19, but we must do more to ensure Michiganders are safe at work,” adding, “This executive order, and the Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety, will help ensure employers take the needed measures to protect workers and customers from the spread of COVID-19. I will continue to work around the clock with LEO Director Donofrio and my partners in health care, business, and labor to ensure protections for every Michigan worker.”
Jeff Donofrio, Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, says, “The Governor’s actions make sure that as we reengage our economy, workplaces are safe for employees and customers,”and adds, “The Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety will help to coordinate safety guidelines across workplaces and ensure workers and employers know the latest ways to keep us safe.”
Under Executive Order 2020-91, businesses that resume in-person work must, among other things, develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan and make it available to employees and customers by June 1.
Ron Bieber, President of the Michigan AFL-CIO, says, “We’re grateful to Gov. Whitmer for taking action today to save lives and hold down the spread of this awful virus,” noting, “It’s not right to force people back to work without making sure they’re kept safe. Anyone returning to work should know they’ll be safe in their workplace, and our state should be acting to hold bad actors accountable. We’ll continue to work with the Michigan Economic Recovery Council and with all our affiliates to make sure that guidelines are clear and consistent to keep everyone safe at work, and that families aren’t in danger when folks return home.”
Businesses must also provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of PPE, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions.
To view Executive Order 2020-91 and Executive Directive 2020-6, click the links below:
