Governor Gretchen Whitmer says May 1 is her target for starting to relax restrictions on movement and business activity during hte coronavirus crisis. That’s when her current stay-at-home executive order expires. She made the comments Friday in a teleconference with a business group. But Whitmer says there are some conditions that will have to be met.
“It is really important as we start to articulate our strategy for re-engaging our economy that we get it right," she said. "I know that this has been an intense and difficult time for businesses of all size in our state.”
There are signals the rate of increase in new infections is slowing and Whitmer says that’s good news. But the governor’s also looking for assurances there’s enough protective equipment, hospital rooms, and health care workers ready in case there’s a new surge of cases.
“And we now have a few days’ worth of PPE, in some cases up to nine or 10 days. I’m hopeful we can get to a place where we have a couple of weeks’ worth in our hospitals, and that’s a critical thing as we contemplate our next steps.”
She says re-starting restricted activities must be done cautiously and in phases, but she says there’s no way to eliminate the risk.
“What we can do is mitigate risk and be really smart and inclusive as we navigate our next steps,” she said.
Republicans in the Legislature sponsored bills to place more restriction on her executive order power. But the governor could veto the bills if and when they reach her desk.