UPDATE 4/24 — Whitmer Extends Stay-Home Order In Michigan Through May 15, Eases Restrictions, Adds Mask Rule. >>Latest Details Here.

============================================

(WWJ) We're getting a better idea of how long Michiganders will be stuck at home under order of the governor.

WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports that keeping in mind that "this could change at the eleventh hour," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is poised to extend her controversial "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order through May 15, 2020.

Speaking live on WWJ Thursday evening, Skubick said "numerous sources" in Lansing have confirmed that May 15 will be the date.

Skubick said sources are also indicating that there will be some changes, as the governor had hinted at.

Among them: "The governor is likely to reopen some businesses on May 1," Skubick said. "Businesses that have limited contact with the general population, as to reduce the spread of the virus."

That could included such businesses as golf courses and lawn maintenance, Skubick said.

The order is currently set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on April 30. Whitmer is expected to make the formal announcement, releasing the details on Friday.

Speaking at her most recent COVID-19 news conference Wednesday, Whitmer said a "short-term extension" of her stay-home order will likely be needed — but that she has been looking at loosening some restrictions.

Whitmer said, however, that won't happen without data and advice from medical experts.

"But we see these signs and know that perhaps we can start to take some small steps forward...I think now is an appropriate time to reassess the breadth of the current stay at home order, to assess, you know, the scope of what the next one might look like," Whitmer said.

Whitmer's next news conference is currently scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. Hear it live on WWJ.

The Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature, meanwhile, has scheduled a session for Friday, hoping to pass legislation limiting Whitmer’s emergency powers. GOP legislators also want to set up a committee to look into how Whitmer has handled the response to COVID-19.

Amid all the talk about when and how to reopen the state, new numbers show the coronavirus continues to impact more people in Michigan. There were 1,325 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state on Thursday, bringing the total to 35,291. That includes 164 additional deaths recorded, for a total of 2,977 deaths, according to the Michigan Department of Human Services.