When first talking about having a 50th reunion this year, of course, the first question in everyone's mind was, "Whoa! With Covid-19 where it is can we realistically think about doing this?" Also, Dow High had laid plans, including reservations for theirs, and later canceled. Ugh, bad sign. Hard to know where to go, as much as we wanted our 50th to really be a FIFTYth, not a 51st. Since this kind of event must be reserved in advance, it was an easy conclusion that we had no options to wait-and-see. With that in mind and firmly believing with all we saw that the Covid-19 situation WOULD turn around by late summer, our direction was to put something in place and then postpone if we absolutely must. So as this disease evolves, the rules around gatherings of this type will transition accordingly. The purpose of this page is to provide updates on this subject, so we can have clarity and transparency about where we are. For those of you from out of state, this is certainly important.
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Gov. Whitmer outlines Michigan’s new schedule for lifting COVID rules, getting life ‘back to normal’
per clickondetroit
May 20, 20212
On Wednesday, the governor’s office hinted that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services would update its pandemic order after the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention made changes to its recommendations for fully vaccinated people.
Less than 24 hours later, Whitmer held a COVID briefing and announced a revised MI Vacc To Normal plan as cases decline and the number of vaccinated residents rises.​
Here’s what’s changing:
Mask policy
Whitmer announced Michigan is adjusting its mask policy in accordance with new guidelines set by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
“Last Thursday, the CDC released new guidance on masks, based on the strength of vaccines preventing infections and spread among vaccinated people,” Whitmer said.
The guidance says vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or socially distance indoors or outdoors, with exceptions for certain medical spaces.
“We have adjusted our mask policy to match the CDC recommendation,” Whitmer said. “So now, in Michigan, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask outdoors or indoors unless required by their work or business.”
June 1
On June 1, all outdoor capacity limits will be lifted.
“We will maintain our mask rule, as already announced, but otherwise lift all mitigation measures on outdoor gatherings, and only retain a 50% capacity limit on indoor establishments,” Whitmer said. “That means that an indoor social gathering like a wedding or a funeral or a conference or a graduation party will be allowed to resume at 50% capacity through the month of June.”
In June, people who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to continue to wear masks when they’re indoors, Whitmer said.
The 11 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants will also be lifted June 1.
MDHHS will officially release the updated order Monday, she said.
July 1
On July 1, Michigan will take its final step in reopening by lifting the broad mask and gatherings order and will no longer impose broad mitigation measures during the pandemic. Businesses and workplaces have the right to require masks beyond that date.
“Unless, of course, unanticipated circumstances arise,” Whitmer said. “We do not expect that to happen. We look at this as the last moment of these types of orders.”
There might be one or more targeted orders in place to protect vulnerable residents, the governor said.
“But for the most part, life will be back to normal,” Whitmer said.