Michigan Outdoor Capacity Limits Removed, Indoor Limits Increased

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Outdoor capacity limits have been eliminated and indoor capacity limits for social gatherings, weddings, conferences and funerals have been increased to 50 percent according to a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 order that was amended on Monday.

The order, which takes effect on June 1 and continues through July 1, will continue to require masks for people indoor. An epidemic order removing mask mandates is set to take effect on July 1.

"This is a month — it's from June 1 to July 1 — that we are transitioning," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said at a news conference in Grand Rapids on Monday.

The MDHHS continued to urge Michiganders to follow CDC guidance, even where not specifically required by an epidemic order, including masking up at schools, on the bus or train and in congregate settings such as prisons and homeless shelters, in a news release issued conjointly with Monday's announcement.

People who are not fully vaccinated are recommended to mask up outdoors in crowded settings like a baseball game or concert, the state stressed. Organizations and businesses still have the authority to put into place policies and guidelines that make sense for their operations, and for the safety of their employees and customers.

“We continue to move toward normalcy as more and more Michiganders get vaccinated,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement on Monday. “The updated CDC guidelines demonstrate just how safe and effective the COVID-19 vaccine truly is and how well it is working.”

Back to Work

Whitmer also on Monday announced an update to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 emergency rules as many employers return to in-person work.

“As we work to put Michigan back to work, we are moving quickly to invest in our families, small businesses, and communities to help them succeed,” Whitmer said. “The reason we can take these steps is thanks to every Michigander who has stepped up and taken action to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe. Together, we are eliminating this once-in-a-century virus, and now we are poised to jumpstart our economy and power it to new highs.”

MIOSHA filed updated COVID-19 emergency rules in accordance with the MI Vacc to Normal plan and recent health guidelines and orders. MIOSHA removed the requirement that employers allow workers to work remotely if possible once the state hit its 55 percent vaccination milestone, which it did two weeks ago.