Grand Opening. Grand Closing.
After months of a mandatory shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Michigan bars re-opened with strict guidelines provided by the state of Michigan. The order was lifted 2-weeks ago (June 8), allowing patrons to pull-up to their favorite place of business. Since then, bars have been linked to a growing number of large outbreaks, perhaps the best-known is in Ingham County where 107 confirmed COVID-19 cases were linked to a single bar.
Now, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered all bars to close indoor service throughout most of lower Michigan to protect against the spread of COVID-19 to the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City regions. Outdoor service is still allowed.
“We owe it to our front line heroes who have sacrificed so much during this crisis to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the chance of a resurgence like we are seeing in other states,” said Governor Whitmer. “Following recent outbreaks tied to bars, I am taking this action today to slow the spread of the virus and keep people safe. If we want to be in a strong position to reopen schools for in-person classroom instruction this fall, then we need to take aggressive action right now to ensure we don’t wipe out all the progress we have made.”