Detroit Regional Chamber > Business Resources > COVID-19 > Gov. Whitmer Reopens Retail, Restaurants, and Offices in Upper Peninsula, Traverse City Regions

Gov. Whitmer Reopens Retail, Restaurants, and Offices in Upper Peninsula, Traverse City Regions

May 18, 2020
Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-92, allowing for the reopening, in two regions, of retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars with limited seating. The two regions are both in the northern part of the state—specifically, MERC regions six and eight, as detailed in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan to re-engage Michigan’s economy.

The partial reopening will take effect on Friday, May 22. Cities, villages, and townships may choose to take a more cautious course if they wish, the order does not abridge their authority to restrict the operations of restaurants or bars, including limiting such establishments to outdoor seating.

All businesses that will reopen in regions six and eight must adopt the safety measures outlined in Executive Order 2020-91. That means they must, among other things, provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum:

  • Workplace infection-control practices
  • The proper use of PPE
  • Steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19
  • How to report unsafe working conditions

Restaurants and bars will also have to limit capacity to 50% of their normal seating to keep groups at least six feet from one another, to require their servers to wear face coverings, and to follow rigorous disinfection protocols.

Region six in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan includes the following counties:

  • Manistee
  • Wexford
  • Missaukee
  • Roscommon
  • Benzie
  • Grand Traverse
  • Kalkaska
  • Crawford
  • Leelanau
  • Antrim
  • Otsego
  • Montmorency
  • Alpena
  • Charlevoix
  • Cheboygan
  • Presque Isle
  • Emmet

Region eight in the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan includes the following counties:

  • Gogebic
  • Ontonagon
  • Houghton
  • Keweenaw
  • Iron
  • Baraga
  • Dickinson
  • Marquette
  • Menominee
  • Delta
  • Alger
  • Schoolcraft
  • Luce
  • Mackinac
  • Chippewa

To view Executive Order 2020-92, click the link below:


Related:

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Releases MI Safe Start Plan to Reengage Michigan’s Economy