After almost a 30-day stay home order for residents, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is carefully "building a plan" to re-open the state in phases. Whitmer announced she'll work with other governors from surrounding states in creating a plan to reopen after the lockdown ends. "This economic shutdown is having a huge impact on peoples home budget, business budget, as well as the states budget", Whitmer said.
Prioritizing public safety and employees health comes first in planning with midwest state officials, "We don't want to have to come back into this posture, and so we gotta be really smart", said Whitmer in a television interview.
Who and what will open first?
The federal government is leaving the phases up to the discretion of individual state governors.
President Donald Trump spoke about possibly reopening the country just two weeks after the lockdown had started, "We must have a working economy, and we wanna get it back very very quickly." said Trump. Medical officials strongly disagreed, saying it was soon.
WhiteHouse.gov outlines 3 reopening scenario phases, but note that different states will enter these phases at different times.
Phase One
- Telework as possible
- Return to work in phases
- Minimize non-essential travel
- Continue to social distance
- SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZED YOUTH ACTIVITIES (e.g., daycare, camp) that are currently closed should remain closed.
- VISITS TO SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS should be prohibited. Those who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene.
- LARGE VENUES (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under strict physical distancing protocols.
- ELECTIVE SURGERIES can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines.
- GYMS can open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.
- BARS should remain closed.
PHASE 2
- ALL VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS should continue to shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.
- All individuals, WHEN IN PUBLIC (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 50 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.
- NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL can resume.
- Continue to ENCOURAGE TELEWORK, whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
- Close COMMON AREAS where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce moderate social distancing protocols.
- Strongly consider SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS for personnel who are members of aVULNERABLE POPULATION.
- SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZED YOUTH ACTIVITIES (e.g., daycare, camp) can reopen.
- VISITS TO SENIOR CARE FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS should be prohibited. Those who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene.
- LARGE VENUES (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under moderate physical distancing protocols.
- ELECTIVE SURGERIES can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient and in-patient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines.
- GYMS can remain open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.
- BARS may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate.
PHASE THREE
- VULNERABLE INDIVIDUAL Scan resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are observed.
- LOW-RISK POPULATIONS should consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments.
- EMPLOYERS
- Resume UNRESTRICTED STAFFING of worksites.
- VISITS TO SENIOR CARE FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS can resume. Those who interact with residents and patients must be diligent regarding hygiene.
- LARGE VENUES (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.
- GYMS can remain open if they adhere to standard sanitation protocols.
- BARS may operate with increased standing room occupancy, where applicable.
Didn't see anything about barbershops, nail salons, and other places of business that requires direct interaction with customers. Selfishly, can we just get the athletes back to work? Sports was an essential viewing pleasure of mine that I miss dearly.
What phase are you ready for? Will you continue to social distance no matter what?