Advocacy News – December 18, 2020
Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are extending Michigan’s ban on in-person dining at restaurants through January 15 but announced today they are allowing casinos, bowling alleys, movie theatres to reopen with total capacity limits beginning December 21.
The updated epidemic order (“order”) was issued on December 18 but will not go into effect until December 21. The order will be in effect through January 15.
The order will allow several indoor activities to resume, including in-person learning at high schools and indoor entertainment venues. Although casinos, bowling centers and movie theatres will be allowed to reopen with total capacity capped at 100, food and drink concessions must remain closed.
With COVID-19 cases in Michigan plateauing and trending down, we are disappointed that Michigan restaurants and bars will not be allowed to reopen safely. Although we have been encouraging the Governor to allow restaurants and others to reopen safely, the restaurant shutdown will continue, calling into question how many of these businesses will survive in the short- and long-term.
The new order also continues to limit indoor residential gatherings to 10 people and two households. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with consistent with guidance already released by the department. MDHHS is also encouraging families to stay home this holiday season.
Please contact us with any questions at info@michamber.com.