Whitmer signs executive order allowing retail businesses, restaurants to reopen in 32 Michigan counties


On May 18, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed an executive order allowing retail businesses, offices, restaurants, and bars to reopen effective May 22 in the following 32 counties: Alger, Alpena, Antrim, Baraga, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iron, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ontonagon, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Schoolcraft and Wexford.

Restaurants and bars will be subject to a 50% capacity limit.

Michigan’s reopening has been in progress since April 24, at which time Whitmer announced that landscaping and outdoor activity businesses, and curbside retail for nonessential supplies, could resume. Effective May 11, manufacturing businesses were allowed to reopen.

Michigan’s stay-at-home order, first issued on March 23 and originally set to expire on April 13, has been modified and extended numerous times. It is currently set to expire on May 28.