Governor Whitmer Announces Additional Restrictions for Businesses and Gatherings
On Sunday, November 15 at 6 pm, Governor Whitmer announced new restrictions on businesses and gatherings due to rising numbers of Covid cases in Michigan. These restrictions are being issued through the MI Department of Health and Human Services as Epidemic Orders. They are set to take place beginning at 12:01am Wednesday, November 18, 2020 and will be in place for three weeks. However, the governor has said that if case numbers do not improve she may extend and/or expand the restrictions. Read the full order HERE.
We are disappointed that the governor has, once again, acted on her own without consultation with the legislature in imposing these new measures. Singling out the restaurant industry and other businesses for a three-week shutdown at the beginning of the holiday season will be the final blow for many of these small businesses that have struggled to stay open since the spring. A response from the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association pointed out that their industry is only responsible for roughly 4.3 percent of COVID-19 outbreaks statewide.
NFIB will continue to keep you updated on changes that could affect your business and work to find ways to lessen the impact to small businesses across Michigan and the country.
Below is a summary of changes made from the previous Epidemic Order issued on October 29, 2020.
- In-person work is only allowed when doing that work remotely is impossible;
- Restaurants and bars are closed for in person indoor dining;
- Non-residential indoor gatherings are prohibited.
- Banquet halls, performance venues, movie theaters, stadiums, arcades, bowling centers, ice skating rinks and indoor water parks are closed;
- Retail store’s capacity limitations have been reduced from 50% to 30% of occupancy limits;
- Non-essential personal care services, including hair, nail, tanning, massage, traditional spa, tattoo, body art, and piercing services, and similar personal care services, are only permitted to the extent that services do not involve the removal of face masks. All services must be provided by appointment, and gatherings in waiting areas are prohibited;
- Group fitness classes are prohibited;
- Indoor residential gatherings remain limited to 10 people but now there is a limit of two households;
- Outdoor residential gatherings are limited to 25 or fewer persons and must be comprised of no more than 3 households;
- High schools, colleges and universities must move to distance learning;
- Funerals are limited to 25 people.
If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Fisher, NFIB Assistant State Director in Michigan, at [email protected] .
