(WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order clearing the way for professional sports to return to action in Michigan without a live audience.
“Good news, sports fans,” Governor Whitmer said in a news release. “We are now ready to gradually and safely allow professional sports to resume in Michigan. While this is an encouraging step in the reopening of our economy, it is critical for athletes to continue social distancing and taking precautions to stay safe. We want to keep our momentum going and keep moving forward, so it’s incumbent on everyone doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
The new executive order comes in the wake of Major League Baseball announcing a shortened season that would begin on July 24, with spring training taking place at home ballparks beginning July 1.
The order allows activities to resume at professional sports complexes, so long as they conduct all activities under a COVID-19 safety plant that is consistent with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Participants must also maintain six feet of distance from one another to the extent compatible with the sport.
You can read the full executive order below:
EO 2020-133 by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
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.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.