Michigan is inching closer to being able to reopen parts of its economy, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talked about what that looks like with Detroit business leaders in a Friday, April 17 virtual town hall.

The state shouldn’t “just flip a light switch,” Whitmer said Friday, or it’ll risk having a second wave of the coronavirus and see a spike in deaths.

Michigan is under a stay-at-home order through April 30, forcing nonessential businesses to close to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“I am hopeful that, come May 1, we will take some steps forward,” Whitmer said. “As we proceed, if that goes well and we continue to see progress, that we then go into a second phase.”

Low-risk businesses will likely be allowed to open first, Whitmer said. She did not specify which types businesses that might include.

All business sectors need to be thinking about how to reopen safely with new precautions, for when the time comes, she said. Whitmer mentioned her husband’s profession – a dentist – as an example.

“That’s a job where you are up close and personal with people and that’s maybe one of the most dangerous jobs you can do (right now),” Whitmer said. “But the Michigan Dental Association is starting to promulgate best practices … Each sector is going to have an opportunity to drive this.”

The more steps a sector can take to reduce risk of spreading the virus, the more likely it can restart earlier, Whitmer said.

The governor plans to roll out more plans next week on if there could be a regional aspect to Michigan’s reopening the economy. Legislators and businesses from outside metro Detroit have been clamoring to get Whitmer to relax restrictions in their part of the state due to lower caseloads, but Whitmer has refused so far.

The governor has been working with experts in epidemiology and health from the University of Michigan, along with business and health experts throughout Michigan and the U.S. to develop a plan.

She mentioned President Donald Trump’s guidebook to states on reopening, saying Michigan will develop a similar plan of its own, tailored to the state.

Seven Midwest governors, including Whitmer, announced Thursday they’re working together to coordinate the reopening of their states and share best practices.

The states will consider four factors to help determine when to reopen the economy: The rate of infections and hospitalizations, the ability to test more people, the capacity of hospitals and best practices employers can implement.

Businesses across Michigan are ready to reopen, and willing to do so under a "new set of rules," said Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah.

“I want everyone to know that Gov. Whitmer gets the economic side of this,” Baruah said. “I think we all understand that it’s not going to be business as usual when we’re allowed to reopen.”

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

Read more Michigan coronavirus coverage here

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