Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out a new plan Thursday for ending the restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
By July 1, Whitmer said, mask requirements will be gone, even for people who are unvaccinated, and the state will lift capacity limits on indoor venues.
The state had been planning to gradually lift those restrictions in a multi-step plan based on the number of people who were vaccinated. Now, Whitmer said, the restrictions are no longer tied to vaccination rates.
Speaking at the Dow Diamond baseball park in Midland -- home of the Great Lakes Loons minor league team -- Whitmer said the first step comes at the beginning of next month.
“Starting June 1, all outdoor capacity limits will be lifted, including here at the Dow Diamond, so you can come and cheer on the Loons,” she said to cheers from Dow Diamond staff.
Then, a month later, when the July 1 rules take effect, “We will be able to sing at church, dance at weddings, cheer at games, hug each other and laugh together,” Whitmer said. “I know that is welcome news to so many.”
Whitmer said after the mask mandate is lifted, individual businesses will still be able to require employees or customers to wear them.
The governor said certain restrictions could be reimposed if cases spike again.
