Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the MI Vacc to Normal plan to reopen Michigan as the COVID-19 vaccination program continues. Speaking Thursday, Whitmer said vaccines are the state’s best chance at putting the pandemic behind it. So far, she says there’s been good progress.
“There are approximately 8 million Michiganders 16 and up,” Whitmer said. “Our goal remains equitably vaccinating 70% of this group, which would be roughly 5.67 million people. So far, just over 4 million have gotten their first shots.”
Whitmer is tying the reopening of the state to the percentage of the population that gets vaccinated. She outlined how the MI Vacc to Normal plan will work.
“Step one. Two weeks after 4.5 million Michiganders, or 55% of our eligible population, have received their first shot, we will lift the state’s requirement for employers to require remote work when feasible.”
Whitmer said two weeks after the state hits 4.9 million, or 60% vaccinated, we’ll increase indoor capacity at stadiums, conference centers, and funeral homes to 25%, and at gyms to 50%. The state will also life the curfews on bars and restaurants. Two weeks after we hit 65% vaccinated, all indoor capacity limits will be lifted, and two weeks after 70%, the state lifts mask and gathering orders. The governor did not say what will be done if vaccine refusal results in the state not meeting those marks.
