Image credit: State of Michigan
Speaking at a news conference Friday morning, Governor Whitmer also detailed problems with vaccine rollout.
The state health department will allow indoor dining to resume, with restrictions, starting on February 1.
Michigan has seen a dramatic drop in COVID-19 infections from the height of the second wave this fall. Speaking at a news conference Friday morning, Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the state has seen a 70% reduction in cases.
“On November 15, when the pause was announced, Michigan had 734 cases per million,” says Whitmer. ”Now we’re down to 177 cases per million.”
Due to the drop in new infections, the state health department will allow restaurants to resume indoor dining on February 1 with restrictions on capacity and a 10 p.m. curfew. Concessions at casinos and movie theaters may also reopen on the same date.
On Sunday, November 15, Department of Health and Human Services director Robert Gordon issued a new epidemic order tightening restrictions on indoor activities in an effort to curtail a worrying rise in COVID-19 cases, outbreaks, hospitalizations, and deaths in Michigan.
Gordon’s newest order requires sweeping shutdowns of gathering spaces like bingo halls, casinos, gyms for group activities, theaters, schools and universities, and restaurants for indoor dining. Outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery continue to be permitted under the order, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18. The order lasts for three weeks.
The order came after stern warnings from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Doctor Joneigh Khaldun on Thursday, November 12, suggesting that new shutdowns were imminent. It gives a period of two days for restaurants and bars to adjust their services. The financial and labor pressures of losing indoor seating will make it even tougher for many establishments t