Michiganders Can Return To In-Person Office Work On May 24

LANSING, MI — Michigan has reached the first milestone of its MI Vacc to Normal coronavirus reopening plan, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announcing Monday that more than 55 percent of Michiganders age 16 and up have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The milestone means that the state will allow in-person work to return for all business sectors. Officials said Monday that the state anticipates allowing all in-person work to resume on May 24.

“I am excited that 55% of Michiganders have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because it puts us one step closer to getting Vacc to Normal,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Everyone is eligible to get their safe, effective shots, and it's on all of us to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. On May 24, we anticipate allowing a return to in-person work across all sectors, and as more Michiganders get vaccinated, we will continue lifting restrictions to get Vacc to Normal safely.”

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Michigan has administered 4,455,395 vaccines to date, moving the state closer to its goal of vaccinating at least 70 percent of Michiganders ages 16 and older.

"The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is the most important tool we have to reduce the spread of the virus. By getting shots in their arms as soon as possible, Michiganders can help end this pandemic as quickly as possible," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan's chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We urge all eligible Michigan residents to make an appointment or locate a walk-in vaccine clinic to get their vaccine as soon as they are able by visiting Vaccinefinder.”

The Vacc to Normal plan will use four vaccination-based milestones that will allow the state to begin a return to normalcy.

The next step would be reaching the 60 percent vaccinated threshold, in which the state would increase indoor capacity at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls and funeral homes to 25 percent. Exercise facilities and gyms would have increased capacities of 50 percent. Curfews would be lifted at restaurants and bars.

Other steps of the Vacc to Normal Plan include:

• 65% of Michiganders (5,262,996 residents)
  • Lifts all indoor % capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties. 
  • Further relaxes limits on residential social gatherings.   

• 70% of Michiganders (5,667,842 residents)
  • Lifts the Gatherings and Face Masks Order such that MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.   

Read more from Patch:

• Lifting Of Michigan COVID Rules Tied To Vaccination Rate: Whitmer
• Michigan Coronavirus Update: 2,716 New Cases, 33 More Deaths
• Michigan Relaxes Mask Requirements Statewide Beginning Thursday