Some northern Michiganders will be able to resume some form of normalcy, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend as on Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order allowing some business re-openings in the Michigan Economic Recovery Council regions 6 and 8, also known as the Upper Peninsula and the Traverse City area, starting this coming Friday, May 22nd.

This means retail businesses, office work that cannot be done remotely, and restaurants and bars can reopen with 50% of their normal seating. Campgrounds and lodging will not be reopening at this time. However, cities, villages, and townships may continue more restrictions if they so choose, like only allowing outdoor seating and further restrictions on restaurants or bars.

All businesses in regions 6 and 8 will still have to adopt proper safety measures like providing COVID-19 training, the proper use of personal protection equipment, notifying businesses of coronavirus symptoms or possible cases, and how to report unsafe working conditions. Restaurants and bars will have to keep groups at least six feet apart and all servers will have to wear face coverings.