Whitmer May be Planning to Announce Reopening of Gyms This Week

It's not official until it's official. But signs are indicating that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer may be preparing to give gyms in Michigan the green light to reopen soon.

Several sources in Lansing are indicating to Fox-2 political reporter Tim Skubick that Governor Whitmer is poised to make the announcement as early as this week.

"The governor is expected to make the formal announcement next week, barring a dramatic change in cases," Skubick reports.

As of Monday morning, no official press conference has been scheduled.

Last week, Whitmer was firm on her stance that she was (at that time) not ready to reopen gyms, movie theaters, and bowling alleys, saying she would not be bullied.

"I'm not going to be bullied into making that decision, I'm going to follow the science, I'm going to work with Dr. Khaldun, but we are looking very closely at those businesses that have been closed for the duration," the governor said.

Bryan Rief, who owns several Planet Fitness locations in Michigan, spoke with Skubick, taking a long pause before hesitantly weighing in on whether or not he expects to get the green light to reopen this week, saying, "I think ... I'm optimistic."

Gyms and other indoor fitness facilities have been closed for nearly six months in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Two Grand Blanc area gyms were forced to close last week after it was determined that they were operating in violation of Whitmer's Executive Orders.