In a recent AAA Michigan poll, two out of five Michanders said they're ready to travel again once they get the coronavirus vaccine.
As more and more people get the shot and coronavirus cases decrease, it begs the question ... Where can I go? Here's a list of what's open and closed in Michigan. Eater Detroit reports residential gatherings are currently limited to 'not more than 10 people from two households indoors at one time 'or 'not more than 25 people from three households outdoors.' "The state, however, strongly recommends that households avoid any gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19, which is driven primarily by social gatherings like parties and holiday celebrations."
Michigan is in phase 1B of coronavirus vaccine distribution, which means that essential workers, school employees, and anyone over age 65 is eligible to get it. The next phase, 1C, includes more essential workers and people of any age with preexisting conditions. There are pockets of difference: Detroit, for instance is allowing anyone over age 60 with a preexisting condition to get the vaccine and any food worker of any age. Oakland County included politicians of any age on the list of essential workers.
As the rest of the state waits for vaccine opportunities, what is open in Metro Detroit during covid? Just about everything ... but with guidelines. All regions of Michigan are in MI Safe Start Reopening Phase 4, which is considered "improving."
What's open in Metro Detroit right now/today includes grocery stores, retail establishments, construction, food courts, strip clubs, health care, offices -- with social distancing --and restaurants and bars at 25% capacity, with a 10 p.m. curfew, mask and social distancing mandate. Dancing is not permitted, nor is standing at the bar or congregating in a group at the bar. Masks must be worn anytime you're not eating and drinking and all patrons must be seated. If you're more comfortable dining indoors, check out this list of outdoor dining options HERE.
How long will these rules last? Michigan's COVID restrictions for dining inside a restaurant were quietly extended to March 29.
Restaurant owners are lobbying for at least a 50% capacity, but the governor has not responded. She also did not announce the 25% limit extension, but quietly included it in an order. In Michigan, according to the MRLA, the industry has seen 3,000 restaurants permanently close and 200,000 restaurant workers lost their job because of the pandemic.
As the governor announced the reopening of restaurants, the state allowed school sports to resume. All school sports including baseball, ice hockey, basketball, wresting, soccer and more, were allowed to resume Feb. 8.
Concession stands at movie theaters -- which are also limited to 25% capacity -- reopened in February after months of closure. Hair salons, spas, bowling alleys, casinos and gyms in Michigan are also allowed to operate, with capacity restrictions, cleaning protocols, and mask mandates. Michigan has deemed casinos, bowling alleys, bingo halls, gun ranges and similar venues as "lower-risk recreational facilities" that can stay open.
As for schools, it's a patchwork across the state of in-person and remote learning as Michigan officials have allowed individual districts to decide how to operate. Some offer a mix of in-person and remote learning, while others keep classrooms shuttered and offer online only. The AP finds that about 80% of Michigan schools currently offer in--person learning. Fifteen percent of Michigan schools were fully remote in February, down from 35% in January.
With concert venues, weddings, and sporting events, current Michigan restrictions say that no venue can have more than 100 people in the same space unless it is a stadium or arena holding a non-contact sporting event. These venues can have up to 250 people, the order states.
