Area restaurant owner heaved a giant sigh of relief and began efforts to accommodate the state requirements that will allow them to reopen for inside dining next Monday.
Officials from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued an order last week which will allow restaurants to open for indoor dining with certain requirements; concessions at casinos, movie theaters and stadiums; personal services requiring mask removal; and non-residential gatherings of up to 10 people from two households. The new order will last three weeks, until Sunday, Feb. 21.
“The pause has worked. The efforts we have made together to protect our families, frontline workers and hospitals have dramatically reduced cases and we have saved lives. Now, we are confident that starting Feb. 1, restaurants can resume indoor dining with safety measures in place,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Michigan continues to be a national leader in fighting this virus, and we must continue working to keep it that way. One of the most important things Michiganders can do is to make a plan to get the safe and effective vaccine when it's available to you. And as always, mask up and maintain 6-feet of social distancing. We will end this pandemic together.”
“I know this pandemic has hurt restaurant owners or restaurant workers, and all of their families. I want to thank those that made incredible sacrifices and did their part, on behalf of our protecting our communities from COVID,” Whitmer said. “I've spoken with a number of restaurant owners over the course of these months. I know that it has not been easy. I want you to know that I will continue to do everything in my power to support you and your family.”
“We are pleased to see the improvements in case rates, hospitalizations and percent positivity that have allowed us to reopen more activities,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “However, we must remain vigilant, especially since we now have a new more easily transmitted variant of this virus present in our state. This is not the time to let our guard down and Michiganders should minimize their risk by avoiding gatherings, wearing masks properly, social distancing and making a plan to get their vaccine when it is their turn.”
Restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity with up to 100 people. Tables must be 6 feet apart with no more than six people per table. Outdoor tents with four sides are permitted under these same rules. Bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m. Additionally, contact information must be collected from diners for contact tracing purposes.
Robert Gordon, MDHHS director said the relaxed rules demonstrate the success of the previous measures in controlling the spread of the virus.
“Even so, the science is clear that unmasked, indoor activities like dining and drinking are still a source of high risk around COVID-19. The safest course remains to support your favorite restaurant with carryout, delivery or outdoor dining. If individuals choose to eat out, there are two things they can do to make it much safer: go out only with members of their own household and choose a restaurant participating in the MI COVID-19 Safer Dining certification program.”
