Michigan’s Three-Week ‘Pause’ Extended Through December 20

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has extended Michigan's three-week 'Pause to Save Lives' has been extended through December 20. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the 12-day extension earlier today (12/7) from Lansing.

Hope is on the horizon, but we need an additional 12 days to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus. This is all about protecting our families and frontline workers until we eradicate this virus once and for all. With recent daily case counts averaging well above 6,000, the daily death toll at alarming levels, and the risk of hospitals becoming overwhelmed, we must work together as Michiganders and listen to our health experts. This may be the most difficult time yet in our struggle with COVID-19, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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The order was originally put in place by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on November 18 in order to slow the spread of coronavirus. According to Gov. Whitmer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, and MDHHS Director Dr. Robert Gordon, the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the state's COVID-19 numbers has not yet been determined.

The order allows for food takeout and outdoor dining where no more than six people are gathered per table and tables are spaced six feet apart. Hair salons will remain open and shopping is permitted as long as masks are worn and social distancing guidelines are followed.

Full details of the order are available here.

Colleges and universities will be forced to prohibit in-person learning and extracurricular activities. High school students in grades 9-12 will convert to online learning, while students in lower grades will be permitted to participate in in-person instruction. Sports and extracurricular activities are also prohibited.

The graphic below from the MDHHS outlines what business and activities will be restricted and allowed.