MDHHS Epidemic Order Allows Indoor Group Exercise, Non-Contact Sports to Resume January 16; Restaurants May Reopen February 1
In a press conference on Wednesday, January 13, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated the COVID-19 Epidemic order to allow indoor group fitness and exercise classes to resume on January 16 as long as they follow distancing and masking guidelines. In-person, non-contact sports can also resume.
Contingent on Michigan infection rates, hospitalization capacity and death rates continuing their downward trend, the Governor announced that they have targeted February 1st for restaurants to reopen, as long as they follow capacity, distancing and cleaning regulations. MDHHS and the Governor's office will also institute a curfew to discourage multi-household gatherings at restaurants.
Governor Whitmer and her staff also provided an update on Michigan's COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution outlined below.
GOAL #1:
Vaccinate at least 70% of Michiganders aged 16 and older as soon as possible.
- There are approximately 8 million people 16 and older who will be eligible for the vaccine
- The 70% goal means 5.6 million residents vaccinated as soon as possible
GOAL #2:
Provide 50,000 shots in arms each day providing the doses are available from the Federal Government.
CURRENT STATUS:
- Set goal to use 90% of doses in 7 days. Providers have worked to meet this goal.
- Modified Phase 1B allowing it to begin while 1A was ongoing.
- Providing Michigan National Guard support for data and administering vaccines.
- Packaging and sending PPE shipments across the state.
- Helping with 211 and scheduling apps for providers that may need help technology.
- Partnering with private organizations to secure spaces for vaccinations.
- Linking pharmacies and providers to help increase shots in arms.
RESULTS:
In the last week vaccinations went from 12k per day to over 33k per day.
NEEDED FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:
- Governor Whitmer and nine other governors requested the release of millions of doses of the vaccine that were being held back. The request was granted.
- Michigan has requested the ability to purchase 100,000 vaccine doses to speed up distribution and are waiting for a reply to that request.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM PRESS CONFERENCE:
- The UIA (Unemployment Insurance Agency) has begun issuing $300 weekly payments to an estimated 365,000 Michigan claimants.
- Employee Assistance Grant Applications of up to $1650 per eligible employee working in the Hospitality, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, Food Services, Gym & Fitness, and other impacted industry sectors will open at 9 a.m.Friday, January 15 and be available until January 25, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Program Details and Information.
- The Michigan Strategic Fund Board will consider authorization of $58.5 million in additional COVID-19 support for small businesses on Thursday, January 14.
