Michiganders Can Return To In-Person Work Monday: Monday Briefing

LANSING, MI — Many Michiganders will return to in-office work on Monday for the first time in months as the day represents two weeks since the state reached the 55 percent mark for people vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In case you've forgotten about the change, which isn't required but allows businesses to allow workers to return to the office to do work that in many cases could have been done remotely, here is a quick reminder of what the change entails.

All business sectors can allow in-person work beginning Monday. This is because Monday marks two weeks since the state announced that 55 percent of eligible residents had been vaccinated.

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

Michigan reached the first milestone of its MI Vacc to Normal Plan on May 10. The plan broke down how the state would ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions, contingent on how many people in the state were vaccinated. After the 55 percent milestone, there were ease-ups set for 60 percent, 65 percent and 70 percent vaccinations.

Of course, that plan is essentially moot, now. The plan was quickly accelerated after the federal government said people who are fully vaccinated don't need to always wear face-covering in certain public areas. Michigan followed suit, quickly announcing that it was removing a mask mandate for public areas.

On Thursday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer set two dates that essentially void the MI Vacc to Normal plan in favor of putting the pedal to the metal in terms of moving the state toward a form of normalcy.

Outdoor capacity limits will be lifted in Michigan beginning June 1 and one month after that all broad mask and gathering orders will be lifted, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said at a news conference.

"For the most part, life will be back to normal," Whitmer said Thursday. "We can have the kind of intense independence we're all looking forward to."

Related: Michigan's Mask, Gathering Rules Will Be Lifted On July 1

Whitmer to Recieve Award on Wednesday

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is one of seven people being recognized as a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. She will receive the award during a virtual ceremony on May 26.

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney also will receive a Profile in Courage Award for his vote in the impeachment of now-former President Donald Trump.

"It is my honor to accept this prestigious award on behalf of every Michigander who stepped up to help their family and community through the COVID-19 pandemic," Whitmer said in a statement earlier this month, when the winners of the award were announced. "I am humbled by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the Kennedy Family for their recognition. We must all strive to live up to the call of public service put forward by President Kennedy decades ago and exemplified by the heroes on the frontlines of this pandemic who are putting shots in arms and working tirelessly in schools, stores, and hospitals statewide."

Weather forecast for the week of May 24

After steady rains hit much of Michigan on Saturday and Sunday, things are looking to dry out a bit during the early portion of the week before more rains settle in.

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for Metro Detroit:

• Monday - partly sunny, mostly cloudy at night
• Tuesday - partly sunny, a chance for thunderstorms at night
• Wednesday - showers likely, with a chance for showers and then clear skies at night
• Thursday - mostly sunny