Michigan moves to end lockdown with retailers set to reopen this week

DETROIT Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on moved this week to further reopen the Midwest state’s economy, largely rescinding a stay-at-home order in place since March and allowing retailers and restaurants to open back up over the next week.

Whitmer’s new executive order will allow retailers to reopen on Thursday and restaurants and bars on June 8, both subject to capacity limits. Until now, only essential retailers such as grocery stores had remained open, while restaurants had closed dining areas while offering pickup and delivery services.

“The data has shown that we’re ready to carefully move our state into this next phase,” Whitmer told a Monday conference. “While Michiganders are no longer required to stay home, we must all continue to practise social distancing.”

Michigan, one of the states hit hardest by COVID -19, has had one of the stricter stay-at-home orders.

On Tuesday, Whitmer appeared before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, when she called on the federal government to help states to provide widespread COVID-19 testing.

“Since I first declared an emergency in response to this pandemic, my administration has taken aggressive measures to fight the spread of COVID-19, prevent the rapid depletion of the state’s critical health care resources, and lower the chance of a devastating second wave,” she said.

“We need the White House to create a specific, long-term plan outlining how the federal government will ensure we have adequate testing supplies so we can gather the data we need to make informed decisions about re-engaging our economies.”

Whitmer, seen as a potential vice-presidential running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, had been criticized by business leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump, and faced protests over her orders. She has gradually reopened different segments of the state economy as the infection rate has flattened.

Whitmer said her goal was to announce a shift to the next phase, which would allow most businesses as well as schools to reopen, before July 4.

She said state residents must continue to wear face masks when in enclosed public spaces.