Today Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Orders 2020-114 and 2020-115 to further reopen northern Michigan’s economic sectors under the MI Safe Start Plan.
Starting on June 10, Regions 6 and 8 — which include much of northern Michigan and all of the Upper Peninsula — will advance to Phase 5 of the Governor’s MI Safe Start Plan. Phase 5 allows the reopening of salons, movie theaters, and gyms, subject to safety protocols and procedures designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19. On June 15, personal services including hair, massages, and nails will reopen statewide. Work that can be performed remotely (i.e., without the worker leaving his or her home or place of residence) should be performed remotely. Though the remaining regions, 1 through 5 and 7, will remain in Phase 4 under today’s executive orders, the Governor has said she expects the entire state will advance to Phase 5 in the coming weeks.
Under Phase 5, indoor social gatherings and organized events of up to 50 people are permissible. Outdoor social gatherings and organized events are also allowed if people maintain six feet of distance from one another and the gathering consists of no more than 250 people. In addition, outdoor performance and sporting venues will be open with a larger capacity limit of 500, which will allow for some outdoor graduation ceremonies.
Businesses must adhere to the safety precautions outlined in Executive Order 2020-114. The order contains new workplace safeguards for gyms, in-home services, hair salons, and entertainment venues. Following these safeguards will ensure that workers and patrons alike remain protected as the state moves to reopen and prevent a second wave.
Highlights of the orders specific to regions 6&8
- Order 2020-114, section 6(c) effective immediately, this order exempts regions 6&8 from occupancy limits and the requirement to offer dedicated shopping time for vulnerable populations (except for pharmacies and grocery stores, which follow order 2020-109).
- Order 2020-115, section 3 states that as of 12:01 am on June 10, 2020, individuals and businesses in regions 6&8 are no longer subject to Executive Order 2020-110 and are instead subject to the rules in 2020-115. This means that northern Michigan follows orders 2020-114 and 2020-115.
- 2020-115, section 4 states that work that can be performed remotely (i.e., without the worker leaving his or her home or place of residence) should be performed remotely.
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