US: Authorities in Michigan to ease certain COVID-19 restrictions Feb. 1-21 /update 19

Officials in Michigan, US, to ease certain COVID-19 business restrictions Feb. 1-21.

Event

Authorities in Michigan have issued orders easing certain business restrictions following declines in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity and hospitalizations. Effective Feb. 1 through at least Feb. 21, restaurants and bars may reopen for indoor dining, albeit under strict capacity limitations and social distancing mandates. Such establishments must also close nightly by 2200. Personal services where removing the facemask is required may also resume, and concessions will be allowed to reopen in casinos, stadiums, and movie theaters.

Other restrictions will remain unchanged until at least Feb. 21:

Indoor residential and non-residential gatherings are allowed, but discouraged, with up to 10 people from two different households.
Outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people from three households are allowed.
Contact sports are banned, except for professional and collegiate leagues.
Water parks and nightclubs are closed.
Office-based businesses must have employees working from home whenever possible.
Indoor gatherings at public venues, such as casinos, bowling centers, cinemas, and other indoor entertainment venues, are allowed with capacity limits in place.
Stadiums hosting sporting events can allow 20 percent occupancy or up to 250 people if their maximum capacity is less than 10,000, while stadiums that seat over 10,000 people can allow up to 500 spectators.
Retail stores, museums, and libraries may operate at 30-percent capacity; gyms and fitness centers at 25 percent.

Facemasks are required in public settings for all residents over the age of five. Children under the age of five and over the age of two must wear a facemask only within childcare facilities. People with health conditions are exempt from the facemask requirement. Any person who can work from home must do so.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Heed the directives of the authorities. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e. covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.