On April 29, a press release by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a plan to drop the mask mandate in Michigan.

“The [Michigan] Vacc to Normal challenge outlines steps we can take to emerge from this pandemic as we hit our vaccination targets together,” Whitmer said. “On our path to vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders 16 and up, we can take steps to gradually get back to normal while keeping people safe. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to rise to the challenge and be a part of the solution so we can continue our economic recovery and have the summer we all crave.” 

The plan includes four main steps: The first one being 55 percent of Mich. Residents vaccinated, plus an additional two weeks from the completion date of that number. 55 percent of our residents is equivalent to 4,453,304 residents. When we reach this goal, in person work will be allowed for all businesses. 

The second step gives a goal of 60 percent of Mich. residents, which is the equivalent of 4,858,150 people, vaccinated plus an additional two week waiting period. Upon reaching this goal, the sports stadium, conference centers, banquet halls and funeral halls capacity will increase to 25 percent. Along with these places, exercise facilities and gyms would be allowed to have 50 percent capacity from their current 30 percent, and will also lift the curfew on bars and restaurants. 

When we reach 65 percent of people vaccinated and wait the two week waiting period, we will have completed step three. This step allows the percentage of indoor capacity to be lifted, while keeping social distancing between parties, and further relaxes restrictions on residential gatherings. 

The fourth and final step in her plan to get Mich. back to normal is having 70 percent of Mich. residents vaccinated, and the state has gone through the two week cooling off period. This last step lifts the mask mandate and gathering limits. 

Bridge.com states that Mich. may not reach this goal until August of 2021. However, Whitmer has recently announced July 1 is the set day for the mask mandate along with all other rules and regulations to be lifted.