Pandemic restrictions to end July 1

In a surprise announcement Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sped up the end of pandemic restrictions in Michigan.

Under new orders, restrictions on outdoor gatherings will come to an end June 1. All pandemic restrictions will then expire July 1.

What Happened: Last month, the governor released a plan to return to normal life in Michigan. Called “Vacc to Normal,” the plan promised to end restrictions based on vaccination rates.

Those plans were quickly upended last week when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that vaccinated people could go maskless. Michigan soon followed suit.

Whitmer has now upended her own plan by issuing the new guidance.

On July 1, Michigan will “no longer impose (any) broad mitigation measures during the pandemic, unless of course, unanticipated circumstances arise,” she said.

What’s Next: The end of pandemic restrictions will move in phases.

On June 1, all outdoor restrictions will be lifted. That includes capacity limits on sporting events and other outdoor gatherings.

At the same time, restrictions will be loosened for some indoor gatherings. Gyms, conference centers, funeral homes, and other indoor venues will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity – up from a limit of 25 people.

The 11pm curfew on bars and restaurants will also be lifted.

On July 1, all pandemic restrictions will be no more. That includes the much-maligned mask mandate. All capacity restrictions will be ended as well.

You can read more on Bridge Michigan.