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Governor Whitmer extends COVID-19 state of emergency until July 16

Whitmer
Posted at 2:13 PM, Jun 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-18 17:07:31-04

(WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an Executive Order extending the COVID-19 state of emergency in the state until July 16.

“The aggressive measures we took at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have worked to flatten the curve, but there is still more to be done to prevent a second wave,” Governor Whitmer said in a news release. “We owe it to the heroes on the front lines to keep doing our part by wearing a mask when in public and practicing social distancing. Now is not the time to get complacent. We must continue to stay vigilant and flexible in order to reduce the chance of a second wave.”

The move comes after a new report by the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team that Whitmer says showed aggressive action in Michigan helped flatten the curve in our state.

Whitmer has said the actions have also allowed the state to open up to Phase 4 of the recovery plan. The Upper Peninsula and the Traverse City region have moved into Phase 5.

In the news release announcing the extension of the state of emergency, Whitmer's office said that if the current trends continue, the rest of the state will be able to move into Phase 5 by July 4.

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