Northern Michigan regions are partially re-opening this Friday, May 22. The state announced on Monday, retail shops, restaurants and bars can begin to open just ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
President and CEO of Traverse Connect, Warren Callsaid businesses will work with local health officials to prepare new staff protocols.
"This (crisis) has been a real challenge for us in Northern Michigan, the phased reopening that we’ve been advocating for can be done in a safe manner," Call said. "Businesses are ready to open back up in a cautious and safe way, using detailed protocols. They’ve been prepping for this."
Call said the region will help be a model for other parts of the state.
"Our businesses are committed to partnering with public health," he said. "I think that’s probably the key thing here, businesses want to do this in the right way, follow the guidelines for screening and prevention to avoid any future spike in cases, the last thing a business needs right now is to have another lockdown happen again."
Call said if the re-open is successful, other industries could be phased-in as well.
