State News

We're nearly free of Michigan masking, distancing and gathering rules

June 17, 2021, 3:46 PM

Just in time for the first full week of summer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announces the end of a 15-month string of pandemic limits on businesses, schools and people.

"I have concluded that although the Covid-19 pandemic continues to constitute an epidemic in Michigan, certain protective measures and requirements can be lifted at this time," she says in a statement rescinding emergency orders as of next Tuesday. They were scheduled to end nine days later on July 1.

Her administration now will focus on "utilizing federal relief funding in a smart, sustainable way as we put Michigan back to work and jumpstart our economy," a third tweet adds.

Whitmer lists these signs of statewide improvement this spring:

  • Since the April 2021 peak, positivity rates, case rates, hospitalizations and deaths have decreased.

  • The seven-day average case rate for Michigan has fallen by 96% to 24.3 cases per million through June 9.

  • The rate of daily Covid cases detected is below 500 and continues to fall.

  • As of Wednesday, 493 Michiganians are hospitalized with the virus, a decline of 87% since the mid-April 2021 peak.

  • The seven-day average daily death rate through June 9 has declined by 75% to 1.9 deaths per million.

Featured_whitmer_at_landshark_may__21__fb_via_crain_s_49234
Any-size gatherings like this at East Lansing's Landshark bar last month are legit as of June 22. (Photo: Facebook)

Among orders being lifted Tuesday are these from last fall affecting nursing homes, hospitals and juvenile lockups:

  • Visitor restrictions for congregate care and juvenile justice facilities 

  • Mandatory testing for Department of Health and Human Services' juvenile justice facility staff

  • Mandatory tests for Department of Health and Human Services hospitals and centers staff



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