Just this afternoon, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced she is moving up the date for rescinding the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) epidemic orders.

Originally, the "re-opening" date had been set as July 1st. That date is now June 22nd. As of that date, capacity in indoor and outdoor settings will go to 100%, and masks will no longer be required. Since June 1st, most settings have been at 50% capacity.

The news comes just a few days after Michigan reached a rate of 60% of residents ages 16 and up, having received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Daily case numbers, hospitalization numbers, and fatalities have all continued to decline rapidly since mid-April. Positivity rate, which is the single best indicator of future cases and hospitalizations, is currently 1.10, according to data collected by the MDHHS. This is the lowest positivity rate experienced throughout the pandemic.

The rescission of the broad epidemic orders is accompanied by the rescission of some orders specific to certain settings. You can see a list of those here.

However, some settings (correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, agricultural settings, etc.) will continue to operate under orders. And, next week, the state is expected to release new guidance for school children and employees.

As of this moment, the MIOSHA COVID-19 workplace rules will continue to stay in place through October 14th. However, following the issuance of new federal OSHA guidelines last week, it is suspected that MIOSHA will modify or perhaps remove those workplace rules altogether, well in advance of October 14th.