Michigan high schools can resume in-person learning today as a part of Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order issued before the Christmas break, according to WDIV.
On December 18, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services [MDHHS] issued the revised version of the order, which is in effect until January 15.
High school classes were able to return to school buildings starting December 21, but many districts were entering holiday break, so the official reopening will more than likely start this week.
Indoor venues [where people can remain masked and socially distanced] like movie theaters, stadiums, bowling alleys, casinos can reopen without food or drink concessions.
The capacity of those indoor venues will be capped at 100. Visitors have to remain masked and practice social distancing, according to Whitmer.
Outdoor group fitness classes and outdoor non-contact sports are also able to resume, the state announced.
Gatherings at indoor ice and roller rinks are not allowed, except for individual exercise or one-on-one instruction, where occupancy is limited to two people per 1,000 square feet, including within the exercise space, the article added.
Gatherings at outdoor ice and roller rinks are permitted, except for organized contact sports, only if the occupancy is limited to two people per 1,000 square feet, including within the exercise space.
Gatherings for the purpose of non-contact sports and open skating are allowed only at outdoor rinks.
Indoor residential gatherings are still capped at 10 people and two households. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other households to interact with.
Even though the new order is in effect until January 15, Whitmer said the state will consider very seriously on lifting the protocols sooner if the state makes significant progress toward slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“These past few weeks, Michiganders across the state stepped up and did their part to slow the spread of COVID-19, and because of our collective hard work, we are now able to begin the steps to carefully lift some of the protocols we have in place,” Whitmer said. “I am encouraged by the progress we have made since early November, and will continue to monitor the data closely during and after the holidays.
“One of the most important things Michiganders can do right now is make a plan to get the safe and effective vaccine as soon as it’s available to you. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person. We will eradicate this virus together.”
“We have made some progress in our fight against this pandemic, and this was a historical week as we started to distribute life-saving vaccines,” added Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “It is important that everyone continues to do their part. Start planning for when you will get a vaccine when it is available to you, and let’s avoid a surge in cases after the holidays by avoiding gatherings, wearing our masks, and continuing to socially distance.”
Since the restrictions first went into effect on November 18, Michigan has seen case, hospitalization and positivity rates drop significantly, but the numbers are still quite higher than health experts would like to see, especially in comparison to the mid-fall numbers.
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