Advocacy News – May 20, 2021
Governor Whitmer announced today that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will issue a new Epidemic Order Monday, lifting all outdoor capacity limits and to move all indoor capacity limits to 50 percent on June 1. The state will also lift the broad mask mandate and gathering limits on July 1. Unfortunately, there is no word yet on whether the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) will withdraw its proposed permanent COVID-19 workplace safety rules, which are scheduled for a public hearing on May 26.
While today’s announcement is definitely a step in the right direction, the devil is in the details and we look forward to reviewing the updated MDHHS Epidemic Order when it is released on Monday. Furthermore, we are disappointed the Governor has yet moved to withdraw MIOSHA’s permanent COVID-19 workplace safety rules, as many of the provisions found in the proposed rules conflict with what was announced today (e.g., capacity and masking requirements) and are out-of-step with new Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on masking and social distancing.
The Governor also confirmed today the “ban” on in-person work (contained in the MIOSHA Emergency Rules) is scheduled to end on Monday, May 24 in accordance with the “to Normal” plan.
Please contact Wendy Block with any questions at wblock@michamber.com.