(WXYZ) — In an interview with 7 Action News, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the state is concerned about recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in Michigan.
She said the goal was to get the state into phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan by July 4. However, she said this decision is going to be driven by data.
There have been outbreaks in Ingham County, with at least 14 cases linked to a popular bar in East Lansing.
Additionally, there have been outbreaks in agricultural facilities across the state, the governor said.
Whitmer said based on conversations with epidemiologists, the more people move around, the more likely it is that spread can occur.
"We've been doing this for a while," she said. "We're tired of it, I'm tired of it. But until we have a vaccine, wearing masks, washing our hands, practicing social distancing is going to be critical."
Whitmer said if the state drops its guard now, it will very likely increase spread. She warned that if there is community spread, the state may have to take steps backward.
"I don't want to do that, I know that no one wants to," she said. "As people are thinking about gathering, wear your mask, be smart and practice social distancing."
"If we have community spread, we will all have to make a sacrifice again."
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