New orders: Theaters can reopen, elementary school students must mask

Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Friday gave the green light to a variety of indoor venues to reopen while also requiring all K-12 school students to wear masks while attending classes in person.

Executive Order 2020-183 gives the go-ahead for movie theaters, performance venues, bingo halls, bowling centers, ice skating rinks, and a variety of other indoor entertainment venues to reopen beginning October 9.

Executive Order 2020-185 requires all Michigan primary school students to wear masks while attending classes in person. Previously, only middle and high school students were required to wear masks.

In announcing the reopening, Whitmer acknowledged the hardship the closure has placed on those businesses and organizations.

“I know these business owners have made incredible sacrifices during this crisis to protect our families and frontline workers, and my administration will continue working to help them get back on their feet,” she said.

Whitmer also amended rules about public gatherings. Venues will have to limit attendance to between 20% and 25% of capacity depending on several variables. The largest indoor venues will be capped at 500 people.

Bars and strip clubs are among the only businesses exempt from this order.

You can read more on Bridge Michigan.