New Order Limits Indoor Gatherings to 10 People; Opens Detroit Casinos at 15% Capacity
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a new executive order amending Michigan’s Safe Start Order and issuing revised workplace safeguards.
Under the new Safe Start Order, beginning Friday (July 31), statewide indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people and bars will be closed for indoor service across the state, including in Regions 6 and 8.
“As we see COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Michiganders cannot afford to drop our guard. We must take every step possible to saave lives, protect the brave men and women on the front lines, and avoid overwhelming our healthcare system while we continue to combat COVID-19,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “After seeing a resurgence in cases connected to social gatherings across the state, we must further limit gatherings for the health of our community and economy. By taking these strong actions, we will be better positioned to get our children back into classrooms and avoid a potentially devastating second wave.”
According to a release from the governor’s office, “COVID-19’s resurgence is closely associated with super-spreading events at large social gatherings, often attended by young people.” The release states, “an outbreak at a Lansing bar has resulted in 187 infections; more than 50 cases have been linked to a single house party in Saline; and a sandbar party at Torch Lake over the July 4 weekend led to at least 43 confirmed cases.”
The order limits statewide indoor gatherings to 10 people or less and, across most of the state, limits outdoor gatherings to 100. (The outdoor gathering limits will remain at 250 in Regions 6 and 8.)
The order also requires that bars in every region, including those in regions 6 and 8, must close for indoor service if they earn more than 70% of their gross receipts from sales of alcoholic beverages.
Some good news for casino-goers also comes with the new order. Under the order, Detroit casinos will be allowed to open on Aug. 5 with occupancy limited to 15% capacity. “Casinos must also, among other things, conduct a daily entry screening protocol for customers and employees, temperature screening. Casinos must require patrons to wear a face covering, except while eating or drinking or for identification purposes,” a statement says.
For more information on the orders, go here and here.
