LANSING, MICHIGAN - Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced during her press conference on March 2nd that Michigan is number nine nationwide for the least amount of COVID-19 cases. Whitmer reported that restaurants and bars will now operate at 50 percent capacity with up to 100 people. Tables must still be six feet apart with no more than six people per table, and there is now an 11 pm curfew.

She also announced that under new guidelines, visitations at nursing homes will now be allowed. The family member visiting has to obtain a negative COVID test before entering the facility. Indoor non-residential gatherings where people interact across households are permitted up to 25 people, allowing public meetings and other small indoor conferences to resume. Outdoor non-residential gatherings are now allowed up to 300, allowing larger outdoor events to resume.

Governor Whitmer seemed to be optimistic about the increased gathering and capacity limits.

"All of these re-engagements will enable Michiganders to enjoy more of life's simplest pleasures that have been disrupted over the past year," Whitmer said.