Amid a COVID-19 surge, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Sunday new pandemic restrictions that limit gatherings, effective Wednesday until Dec. 8, The Detroit News reported.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Photo: The Detroit News)The restrictions will “ temporarily halt in-person instruction at high schools and colleges, indoor dine-in service at restaurants and bars, and high school athletics as well as close some businesses, including movie theaters, bowling alleys and casinos,” The Detroit News reported.
Indoor residential gatherings will also be limited to two households at a time.
Childcare centers, hair salons, retail shops and preschool through eighth-grade schools can remain open, and outdoor recreation is permitted. 25 people are allowed at funerals.
“Our state is in an out-of-control crisis because too many people are not taking COVID seriously and are failing to act responsibly,” said Jamie Brown, critical care nurse and president of the Michigan Nurses Association. “Nurses and frontline health workers are at a breaking point all across the state as the spread of COVID accelerates and people, including nurses, continue to die.”
Last week, Michigan broke its weekly COVID-19 case record – with 44,019 new cases reported – and had its largest weekly total of coronavirus-related deaths since May – 416 deaths.
“If you are considering spending Thanksgiving with people outside of your household, I urge you to reconsider,” Whitmer said, adding, “As hard as it is not seeing [family members] this Thanksgiving, imagine how much harder it would be if you weren’t able to see them for a future holiday ever again.”
