Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Orders moving two regions in Northern Michigan into Phase 5 of her MI Safe Start Plan and opening personal services throughout the state.

Regions 6 and 8, the Upper Pennisula and Traverse City region, will transition to Phase 5 on June 10, opening hair, massage and nail salons, movie theaters and gyms. COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures are established in the Executive Orders to protect employees and customers. Facial coverings must be worn by customers and employees, who are required to maintain a social distance of six-feet between them.

On June 15, personal services, including hair, massage and nail salons, will reopen statewide, with Regions 1-5 and 7 remaining in Phase 4.

Phase 5 also expands indoor and outdoor social gathering limits with restrictions. Indoor social gatherings and organized events of up to 50 people are permitted provided individuals maintain social distance of six feet. Outdoor social gatherings and organized events of no greater than 250 people are allowed with the six-feet social distancing. However, outdoor performance and sporting venues are given an additional capacity of up to 500 persons, maintaining social distance.

Specific indoor public entertainment venues in the northern regions, including: arcades, bowling alleys, cinemas, climbing facilities, convention centers, performance spaces, meeting halls, night clubs, sports arenas, theaters, or similar venues may open up to 25% of their maximum capacity or 250 people, whichever is smaller, with social distancing maintained.

Click here for the complete details in Executive Orders 2020-114 and 2020-115.

Whitmer updated workplace safeguards for gyms, in-home services, hair salons, and entertainment venues and appointed Sean Egan, Deputy Director for Labor at the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, to serve as Director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety. Executive Directive 2020-6 details the appointment. Executive Order 2020-91 requires businesses follow strict safety guidelines to protect workers and patrons from COVID-19 infection.