Business

Remember your office? You can work there again soon, Michigan Gov. Whitmer says

May 11, 2021, 8:02 AM

This may be welcome news, depending on how you feel about working from home.

"On May 24 we can return to in-person work," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announces, citing "a huge milestone" in statewide vaccinations. Slightly more than 55% of eligible residents -- 4.45 million people over 16 -- have at least one shot, the first benchmark for easing state Covid restrictions.


"This is a huge milestone," the governor says in a new message below. (Photo: Twitter video)

Under the governor's "Vacc to Normal" plan announced April 29, that's a trigger to allow on-site work for all business sectors in two weeks. So get ready to see your March 2020 desk notes and any stale snacks stashed in drawers.

"A strong majority of businesses have been anxious for a return-to-the-office green light," Detroit Regional Chamber leader Sandy Baruah tells The Detroit News.

"It's really important for the larger businesses to start bringing back their employees because the small businesses around them are largely dependent upon that kind of foot traffic," Baruah said.

But not all companies will fill offices immediately. "Some employers have decided they're going to keep employees home through Sept. 1 or even Jan. 1," a Michigan Chamber of Commerce vice president is quoted by The News as saying. "Others are saying ... we want to start phasing and bringing back people a few days a week," adds Wendy Block of thge business group. "A lot of that has to do with the nature of the work being done [and] what they're hearing from employees."

A statement from Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan, welcomes "an important milestone that office-based businesses and downtown business districts have been looking forward to for a long time." 

State occupational health guidelines on workplace mask-wearing and distancing are in effect through mid-October.

Two weeks after Michigan's next milepost, a 60% first-shot level (4.86 million residents), indoor capacity at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls and funeral homes can rise to 25%. Also, gyms can be half-full and an 11 p.m. curfew will end for restaurants and bars.

Final changes come two weeks after the state hits 65% and 70% for first-dose vaccinations.

Vaccination rates will rise nationally now that the Food and Drug Administration OKs Pfizer shots for youths aged 12-15, a move to be reviewed Wednesday by a Centers for Disease Control committee as a final step. In Michigan, however, shots for those youngest ages won't count toward the goals for easing pandemic regulations.

Michigan still ranks first nationally in new coronavirus cases per population size, with a seven-day average of 190 cases per 100,000 people, but the number is falling and the gap between Michigan and other states has also declined.

Since the pandemic began 14 months ago, 865,349 Michiganders have had confirmed cases and 18,239 have died from the virus.



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