(WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said on Monday she is discouraging people from gathering for Christmas.
Related: Gov. Whitmer announces partial shutdown extended until Dec. 20 due to COVID-19
The announcement came during the same press conference where Whitmer and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon announced the extension of a partial shutdown until at least Dec. 20.
Related: Read the full Michigan epidemic order extending partial shutdown until Dec. 20
"No matter what we show in the next 12 days, I am discouraging people from gathering for Christmas," Whitmer said. "It doesn't mean we cancel Christmas, it means we celebrate in a responsible way."
Related: Here are the COVID-19 metrics Michigan officials will monitor before safely reopening
The state is expecting to see a rise in COVID-19 cases starting later this week as we get two weeks out from Thanksgiving, where people still traveled and gathered despite the governor's warning.
"If our numbers come down a good amount, it still doesn't mean that COVID is gone by Christmas. In order to make sure that next year's celebration will be like last year's, this year has to be smart. This year has to be celebrating at home with the people with whom you live," Whitmer said.
Related: READ: Michigan leaders, organizations react to partial COVID-19 shutdown extension
Whitmer said it's essential that we stay safe and don't gather so that people can remain safe.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
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