Battle Creek Times

Michigan is following a mixed approach to its reopening plan. The plan is to reopen specific counties, one at a time, instead of a mass reopening of the entire state.

A special board will be in charge of deciding which counties are clear to be reopened and which ones will stay closed for the time being. That board is comprised of members from the governor’s office, the Michigan state Legislature and other outside groups.

Each county will be placed in a three-tiered system based on factors like the spread of COVID-19, hospitalization rates and hospital capacity. The tiers determine which counties receive what level of restrictions. Counties like Wayne, Oakland and Macomb, which have the highest rates of COVID-19, would be among the counties with the strictest restrictions.

Jobs and public activities will also be reviewed by the same board, which will approve which are safe to resume.

All restrictions are in accordance with the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) guidelines; however, some restrictions in Michigan are already more strict than the minimum federal guidelines.

The board will make decisions on a rolling basis and advise the office of the governor as changes to the coronavirus activity occur.

“This is a balanced, commonsense approach that prioritizes public health by getting Michigan residents back to work timely, sensibly and safely,” said Rep. Matt Hall (R-Marshall) on the Michigan House Republicans website. “The best way forward for Calhoun and Kalamazoo families is not through partisanship. That is why this roadmap specifically involves collaboration between the Legislature, the governor’s administration, health leaders and economy experts to reopen Michigan through a safety-based, regional approach. The people of Michigan are looking for answers on next steps to normalcy, and this plan is a great first step to providing those answers.”

“Over the past few weeks, I have heard from thousands of residents across Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties who are either worried about their health and safety or are currently coping with the challenges of unemployment,” Hall told Michigan House Republicans. “The COVID-19 outbreak in Michigan has not only tragically claimed lives, it has also shattered livelihoods. That’s why simultaneously protecting public health and people’s livelihoods is integral as we continue forward in this public health crisis.”