On Oct. 8th, in a interview on Fox News, President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the state of Michigan is “closed.” Trump specifically referred to churches and schools being closed. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted the state’s stay-at-home order on June 1. The vast majority of the state’s businesses are open (with some restrictions), as are churches and schools, although some of the latter are teaching remotely, as they are in most states.
As reported by Rem Rieder at Factcheck.org…
Whitmer issued her stay-at-home order on March 23 in an effort to stem the state’s rising tide of COVID-19 cases. The order told residents to stay home, although there were a number of exemptions, and said that nonessential workers should not report to work and telework if possible. Whitmer lifted the order on June 1, although some businesses — including gyms, hair salons and theaters — remained shuttered. Whitmer has issued several orders on the subject.
A number of other restrictions have remained in effect, including limits on crowd size at gatherings. But some have been lifted. For example, last month Whitmer issued an executive order allowing movie theaters and bowling alleys to reopen effective Oct. 9, although with stringent restrictions on crowd size. (Gyms and salons had reopened earlier, in June.)
The New York Times, which monitors what’s open and what’s closed in all 50 states during the pandemic, lists nearly everything as open in Michigan, including retail stores, industries and houses of worship. The only thing it lists as shut down is indoor service at bars.
But even that is no longer the case. According to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services on Oct. 9: “There are no longer bar closures, but bars may only serve alcohol to gatherings seated at tables.”
