LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday she may soon allow construction to restart in Michigan if coronavirus hospitalizations continue to drop and testing rises.
The governor, who spoke with Politico, will hold an afternoon news conference with business and health care leaders to discuss how she is assessing the virus’s risk in different economic sectors.
“I would anticipate in the coming days if our trajectory of hospitalizations continues to go down and our ability to test continues to go up that we will go into the next low-risk category,” she said. “That might include some construction, for instance. That might include some additional outdoor enterprises.”
Whitmer on Friday extended and loosened what she said was among the country’s strictest stay-at-home orders, letting businesses such as lawn-care companies reopen and people with multiple homes again travel between them. The measure is in effect through May 15.
Starting Monday, people had to wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces such as grocery stores. All businesses and operations with in-person workers were required to give them a non-medical grade mask.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urged police to be lenient on employers that take “good-faith efforts” to secure masks but have trouble because of limited supplies.
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