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Gov. Whitmer announces 'MI Safe Start' plan to re-open Michigan

Whitmer
Posted at 4:29 PM, Apr 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-28 05:22:46-04

LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the first steps to re-opening Michigan amid the coronavirus pandemic.

RELATED: Gov. Whitmer gives update on state's response to coronavirus

Called the "MI Safe Start Plan," it will "take into account the various sectors of our economy, geographic and work-place risk, as well as our public health ability and work-place protocols to mitigate the risk."

According to the state, the plan will be incremental and start with workplace types that pose less risk.

For example, the residential and commercial construction industry will likely be one of the first sectors to return to work.

Officials will continue to monitor the public health and measure success. It will also remain nimble enough to pull back if a spike in coronavirus cases is seen.

RELATED:Michigan employers must provide employees with face coverings

Businesses will also have to adopt new safety practices and carefully monitor employees, follow social distancing and provide PPE. Employers are also barred from retaliating against workers who stay home out of a health concern.

Whitmer said they are carefully evaluating a number of industrial sectors for a restart, and there will be a press conference at a future date to talk more about the plan.

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