Special Announcement – December 7, 2020
Governor Whitmer held a press conference moments ago where she announced the original “three-week pause,” imposed just before Thanksgiving, has been extended until December 20th.
The continuation of the epidemic order keeps bars and restaurants closed for dine-in service, but they can remain open for outdoor dining, carry-out and delivery. Gyms are open for individual exercise with mandatory masking and additional strict safety measures. Casinos, movie theaters and group exercise classes remain closed. Professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators. Colleges, universities and high schools will continue with remote learning, with no in-person classes.
Other businesses forced to remain closed are:
- conference centers
- concert halls
- performance venues
- arcades,
- bowling centers
- ice skating rinks
- indoor water parks
- amusement parks
- bingo halls
- night clubs
- strip clubs
- trampoline parks
Ms. Whitmer tightened occupancy limits for retailers, libraries and museums.
MDHHS identified three key metrics that will be utilized in determining whether to slowly reopen at the end of the 12-day extension. Specifically, the department will be looking closely at the percentage of hospital beds with COVID patients, the number of COVID-19 cases and the positivity rate. With improvements in those numbers in context, MDHHS will carefully reopen, with in-person learning at high schools first. Next in line will be entertainment venues where people can maintain consistent masking, such as casinos, theaters and bowling, with concessions closed.
The MDHHS has put out additional guidance in the following areas:
- Social Gatherings Guidance
- Pause to Save Lives Infographic
- Safe Social Pods Guidance
- Key Metrics Infographic
- FAQ
For more information on the extension of the partial shutdown order, please contact Dan Papineau at dpapineau@michamber.com