DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths are continuing to move in the right direction, and he's in talks to get some "essential" things rolling again in the city.
That will not, however, include any big events.
Asked by WWJ Newsradio 950 about Detroit's annual Fourth of July fireworks show — which draws hundreds of thousands of spectators downtown each year in late June — the mayor said:
"I can't imagine; certainly not on the schedule." Duggan said. "We haven't any conversation about it, but there's just, there's no way that anybody's going to allow crowds, certainly I'm not gonna allow crowds of that size on the original schedule."
"Could it be done later in the Summer or in the Fall? ...We haven't focused on that yet. But it certainly won't be on the regular schedule."
Word from Duggan on the fireworks may not be a surprise to many, as all versions of proposed plans floated for lifting restrictions in Michigan have included bans on attending sporing events, concerts and festivals for some time.
The mayor said that he does expect the city's economy will slowly start to reopen in the coming weeks in months, with outdoor work and companies that can social distance opening first. The lawn maintenance, sewer, road crews and other employees must first show a negative test for the virus.
The mayor says the economy will slowly start to reopen in the coming weeks in months, with outdoor work and companies that can social distance opening first.
The mayor would like to see all employees be tested before workplaces reopen. Since Monday, drive-thru testing at the former state Fairground in Detroit has been open to all essential employees currently at work in the city, regardless of symptoms. So far, 400 companies have signed up to test around 10,000 employees. (Get more details about testing in Detroit at THIS LINK.)
While Duggan has noted the number of coronavirus cases in the city is plateauing, the city remains the hardest-hit area of the state — with 8,026 cases and 747 deaths, according to the latest report from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.