LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday extended Michigan's state of emergency through July 16.
The state of emergency, first imposed March 10, was due to expire at midnight Friday.
In announcing the order that formalized the latest in a series of extensions, Whitmer, a Democrat, noted that almost every state in the nation has a similar order in place.
“The aggressive measures we took at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have worked to flatten the curve, but there is still more to be done to prevent a second wave,” Whitmer said.
“We owe it to the heroes on the front lines to keep doing our part by wearing a mask when in public and practicing social distancing. Now is not the time to get complacent. We must continue to stay vigilant and flexible in order to reduce the chance of a second wave.”
Whitmer said on Wednesday she expects the state of emergency will remain in effect even longer, through July, and beyond.
The stay-at-home order should not be confused with the stay-at-home order, which Whitmer lifted June 1.
More: Michigan 1 of 3 states on track to contain COVID-19; 'cases are steadily decreasing'
More: What to expect as Michigan hair and nail salons, barbershops and spas reopen
The state of emergency enables state emergency response teams to work with local governments to respond more quickly to their needs, but it does not by itself impose any restrictions on Michigan residents.
It does, however, empower Whitmer to issue orders placing such restrictions, including current orders that close large venues and Detroit casinos, restrict bars and restaurants to 50% capacity, and temporarily halt residential evictions for non-payment of rent.
The state of emergency and its associated orders are contentious in Michigan.
Republicans who control the Michigan House and Senate took Whitmer to court in May, after she extended the state of emergency beyond the most recent 28-day approval the Legislature had granted.
A judge later ruled that Whitmer needed legislative approval to extend a state of emergency beyond 28 days under the Emergency Management Act of 1976, but not under another statute, which Whitmer also invoked, the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, said in early May that a ballot drive to repeal the 1945 law was probably "the No. 1 priority" for Michigan. On Tuesday, the Free Press reported that a group called Unlock Michigan, with ties to the Michigan Republican Party, is launching a petition drive to do just that.
Whitmer said the numbers speak for themselves. Michigan was particularly hard-hit by coronavirus, especially in the Detroit area, but now has one of the lowest infection rates in the nation.
Whitmer has reopened the state gradually and on Wednesday gave more information about plans to reopen K-12 schools to some in-person learning in the fall.
Michigan's barber shops, hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and other personal service shops reopened Monday in southern and central Michigan, after reopening June 10 in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.
Also open Up North, as of June 10: movie theaters, gyms, bowling alleys and outdoor sporting venues.
On June 1, Whitmer said all Michigan bars and restaurants could reopen at 50% capacity June 8. She had earlier loosened restrictions on bars and restaurants in northern Michigan.
Construction resumed May 7 and manufacturing May 11.
Republican lawmakers have pushed to reopen the economy more quickly, especially in areas of the state with relatively few cases, and have criticized Whitmer over the inability of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency to manage a deluge of claims.
Whitmer has also faced criticism for the state's management of COVID-19 in nursing homes, where the nearly 2,000 deaths account for 34% of the state's total.
Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.
"emergency" - Google News
June 19, 2020 at 02:22AM
https://ift.tt/30UVfyT
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extends Michigan's state of emergency until July 16 - Detroit Free Press
"emergency" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2VVGGYQ
https://ift.tt/3d7MC6X
emergency
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extends Michigan's state of emergency until July 16 - Detroit Free Press"
Post a Comment