Update 3/16/20, 11:30 am: In addition to bars and restaurants, Gov. Whitmer’s executive order also closes gyms, spas and health clubs, casinos, as well as theaters and other performance venues across the state. Order restrictions will remain in place until Monday, March 30 at 11:59 pm.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will sign an executive order this morning that closes bars and restaurants in Michigan starting this afternoon. The emergency action is to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The ban will only apply to sit-down service.
“It will permit restaurants to make food for carry out and delivery, but that order will be signed this morning and it will take effect at 3 p.m. today,” Whitmer told WJBK TV earlier this morning.
Sunday, the governor said that she was disturbed to see lines of people lined up outside bars in college towns despite the risks of transmitting the COVID-19.
As of last night, Michigan has 53 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Interlochen Public Radio will update this story as more information becomes available.
