This morning, Governor Whitmer announced that the state would be taking a new approach to gradually relax gathering limits based on the state's overall vaccination rate. The MI Vacc to Normal campaign will roll back major aspects of the face mask and gathering requirements put in place by epidemic order in four phases based on four vaccination-based milestones – using data for Michiganders 16 years or older who’ve received their first dose of vaccine. Here's a quick summary:
- 55% of Michiganders (4,453,304 residents), plus two weeks
- Allows in-person work for all sectors of business.
- 60% of Michiganders (4,858,150 residents), plus two weeks
- Increases indoor capacity at sports stadiums to 25%.
- Increases indoor capacity at conference centers/banquet halls/funeral homes to 25%.
- Increases capacity at exercise facilities and gyms to 50%.
- Lifts the curfew on restaurants and bars.
- 65% of Michiganders (5,262,996 residents), plus two weeks
- Lifts all indoor % capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties.
- Further relaxes limits on residential social gatherings.
- 70% of Michiganders (5,667,842 residents), plus two weeks
- Lifts the Gatherings and Face Masks Order such that MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.
The Governor also announced that, sometime in the next several days, the MDHHS will be putting out a new epidemic order that incorporates the CDC's new guidance and relaxes some restrictions on outdoor gatherings to encourage people to gather safely outdoors.