Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday that she expects to announce a decision “soon” on allowing gyms and theaters to re-open and for more school sports to resume.
The governor did not say exactly when she intends to outline her re-opening plans. She’s been facing pressure to let gyms – as well as theaters and bowling alleys – re-open after ordering them closed more than five months ago. That was to slow the spread of COVID-19 in likely hot spots.
Whitmer said she’ll reveal her plans in the coming days, but won’t be rushed.
“People’s lives are at stake,” she said during a streamed news conference. “COVID is still a very real threat across our state. I will continue to treat it like that.”
The governor also said she’s looking at letting organized school sports start in more parts of the state.
“We take this very seriously, and the decisions that I will make in the coming days and announce are made in a way that will be protecting athletes and families and coaches and parents and patrons and our small business owners, as well.”
Whitmer was responding specifically to news reports that said an announcement could come as soon as Wednesday.