Govenror Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has extended by 12 days the epidemic order that restricts indoor social gatherings and other group activities.
The additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan. Governor Whitmer discussed the action at a press conference with Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun and DHHS Director Robert Gordon.
The order means bars and restaurants remain closed to indoor service, bowling alleys, movie theaters and ice rinks remain closed, and high schools must continue with on-line classes. High school sports remain shut down.
The governor also talked about Christmas, saying that we must not gather with anybody who we do not live with.
She says the first goal is to re-open high schools to in-person learning. And then, slowly, other businesses like bowling alleys and movie theaters may re-open if COVID numbers improve. It appears that bars and restaurants will be the last to re-open, according to Whitmer and Gordon.
Whitmer closed the press conference by reminding people that Michigan, unlike several other states and countries, is not under a Stay At Home order. She added that “by and large, we can still conduct a lot of our lives the way that we’re used to doing it.”
CLICK BELOW to hear the governor’s comments.
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