LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — For the first time, Governor Gretchen Whitmer is now moving back a region in its reopening phase due to a spike in coronavirus cases.
On Friday, she signed an Executive Order putting the Upper Peninsula, or Region 8, back to phase four of the MI Safe Start Plan. This will officially go into effect on October 9th, but she is encouraging everyone to begin making the transition as quickly as possible.
The following changes will happen in phase four for the Upper Peninsula:
- People who can perform their work remotely will be required to do so.
- Social gatherings and organized events will be subject to the new Phase 4 limits in Executive Order 2020-183: indoor residential – 10 people or less; indoor non-residential may allow more, depending on the size of the facility and subject to formulas in the order.
- Stores of less than 50,000 square feet must limit number of people in store, including employees, to 25% of total occupancy limits. Stores of 50,000 square feet or more must limit customers to no more than 20 people per 1,000 square feet of customer floor space, and allow 2 hours of week dedicating shopping time for vulnerable populations.
- Schools must require face coverings at certain times, including in the classroom, among other requirements.
The Traverse City region is the only area in Michigan that will still be under phase five restrictions when this goes into effect.
In a written statement, Governor Whitmer said, “After seeing the increase in cases in the U.P. region over the past several weeks and consulting with medical experts, I have decided to take action to protect U.P. families and move the region back a phase. I know this is hard. I know it will be an adjustment. But we can’t let our guard down. COVID-19 is still a very real threat to our families, frontline workers, and small businesses. Everyone should implement these changes as swiftly as possible. This virus doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, a Republican or a Democrat, young or old. No one is immune. Right now the most effective weapon we have is pretty simple: it’s wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth. It’s washing your hands with soap and water. And maintaining six feet of physical distance from one another. Let’s all be smart and stay safe.”
More on the coronavirus pandemic and the latest executive orders can be found at michigan.gov/coronavirus.
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