MDHHS Reinstating 14-Day Quarantine for COVID-19 Cases

MDHHS Reinstating 14-Day Quarantine for COVID-19 Cases

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released new guidance that reinstates a standard 14-day quarantine for those who have had close contact with anyone who has had COVID-19. This eliminates the option for a 10-day quarantine and is effective as of yesterday, 4/5/21.

In addition to bringing back the 14-day quarantine standard, quarantine instructions for those who are fully vaccinated have been established as well. Fully vaccinated persons who do not have any COVID-19 symptoms are exempted from quarantine requirements. Under the guidance, a person is fully immune under these circumstances:

If given a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna) — a person is immune two weeks after the second dose.
If given a one-dose vaccine (Johnson &Johnson) — a person is immune two weeks after that dose.

Please review the full guidance or contact MMA’s Dave Worthams, at 517-487-8511 or worthams@mimfg.org, for more information.

MMA Urges Strategic and Bold
Investment of $14 Billion in Federal Aid

MMA President & CEO John Walsh joined with the presidents of the six major trade associations representing Michigan businesses to urge Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders to work together across party and jurisdictional lines to ensure that the nearly $14 billion coming to Michigan as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) transforms the state through long-range investments that spur growth for residents and businesses.

MMA and the broader business community are advocating that funding should be highly targeted, with the highest priority given to investments that help achieve long-term goals and leapfrog other states and regions in education/skills, fostering business competitiveness and ultimately growing well-paying jobs for years to come. The group also called for transparency on how the funds are spent and avoidance of new tax burdens on residents and businesses.

“The ARPA provides much needed support for our citizens, the state and our local governments, as well as a tremendous opportunity to stabilize our economy and grow jobs in Michigan! Spent wisely with a long-term focus on infrastructure, the economy and job growth, funds from the ARPA can provide a massive investment with benefits that will last for years to come,” said Walsh. “The MMA is proud to stand with the business community in working with the Whitmer administration and the Michigan Legislature to remain focused on the best use of the funds for all Michiganders. The greatest risk will be the failure to act strategically and with bold measures that can truly transform our economy.”

New & Notable

All Michiganders 16 and Up
Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine

Beginning yesteday, 4/5/21, all Michiganders age 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

To find a site in your county go to How To Get The Safe, Effective Vaccine and check the website of your local health department.
You can also check with local pharmacies: Rite Aid, Meijer, Kroger, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, SpartanNash (Topco) and Cardinal (with Snyder).
Residents who don’t have access to the internet or who need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
To register for the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids go to West Michigan Vaccine Clinic (spectrumhealth.org).
To register for the Regional Community Vaccination Site at Ford Field in Detroit go to https://clinic.meijer.com/register/CL2021 or text End COVID to 75049.

Michigan Remains on Extended Unemployment Benefits; State Expansions Expire

Michigan is one of 16 jurisdictions that remains eligible for extended unemployment benefits through 9/6/21 under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). States, districts and territories with a total unemployment rate above 6.0% qualify for extended federal unemployment benefits, which are reimbursed 100% by the federal government.

At the state level, a number of temporary provisions relaxing unemployment requirements expired on 3/31/21. Employees who leave work for specified reasons related to COVID-19 will no longer qualify for unemployment. The automatic charging of state employment benefits to the Non-Chargeable Benefits Account rather than an employer’s account has also expired. Claimants will now return to having 15 days to file for benefits; the time frame had been expanded temporarily to 28 days. Additionally, relaxed requirements for the Michigan Work Share Program have ended as of 3/31/21.

PPP Application Deadline Extended to May 31

President Joe Biden signed into law the PPP Extension Act of 2021, which allows borrowers additional time to submit applications under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Businesses will now have until 5/31/21 to apply for $7.25 billion authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Small Business Administration will have until 6/30/21 to process the applications.

Are Your COVID-19 Innovations at Risk?

Manufacturing innovations skyrocketed during 2020 as our nation’s greatest problem solvers worked to tackle the challenges of a global pandemic. Under U.S. patent law you have one year to protect your invention or it’s free for the public to copy. Make sure your intellectual property isn’t vulnerable to sales disruption from competitors and register online to join MMA, noted manufacturing innovators and attorneys from the well-respected intellectual property law firm of Fishman Stewart for a free virtual discussion on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. that will help you increase the value of your company and protect your intellectual property’s revenue stream. Learn from the experience of your manufacturing peers in this interactive panel discussion.

Speaker Lineup

Kelly Victor-Burke, CEO Burke Architectural Millwork Kelly Victor-Burke is an entrepreneur and woodwork manufacturing advocate who founded Burke Architectural Millwork (BAM) in 2016 to disrupt the status quo in the woodwork industry and bring positive recognition to the field of architectural millwork manufacturing. BAM is Michigan’s first and only WBENC-certified WBE in custom architectural millwork. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, BAM shifted to fabricating custom PPE plexiglass barriers for food services, medical, business, educational and retail environments.		Matt Carr, President Storch Products Co Inc. Matt Carr is an award-winning artist and designer, master fabricator, inventor and President of Storch Products Co Inc., a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of magnetic products and magnetic materials. Early in the global pandemic, he founded AiroTrust, a new division of Storch Products Company Inc., which provides an innovative way to improve the air quality in facilities to provide employees and customers the peace of mind that comes with clean, safe air.
Doug LaLone, Partner Fishman Stewart Doug LaLone is an engineer, patent attorney and partner at the firm of Fishman Stewart and he serves as chair of the firm’s Strategic Intellectual Property Practice Group which counsels portfolio companies, PE, VC and IB firms on intellectual property strategies, due diligence and portfolio management. Doug has successfully prosecuted and defended over 100 different Intellectual Property suits in numerous federal and state courts, and appeals before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.		Delaney McKinley, Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Events MMA As the head of MMA’s Membership, Marketing & Events Department, Delaney McKinley leverages a diverse set of skills to deliver outstanding value to the organization’s broad membership. She leads the organization’s communications strategy with various stakeholders, and directs member recruitment, retention and engagement programs.

Resources for Manufacturers

Stay updated and compliant with the many changes imposed over the last few weeks. Find state, federal and member resources on MMA’s COVID-19 Resources.