Publication

14 May 2021

Vacc to the Future Update – May 14, 2021

As of Thursday, May 13, 2021, 4,504,003 or 55.6% of eligible Michiganders have received their first dose. The rate of vaccination in Michigan slowed in the last week of April and that trend has continued into May with 120,171 Michiganders receiving their first dose last week.

Today, Governor Whitmer issued a press release announcing planned changes to the MDHHS Gathering and Mask Order. According to the press release, masks will no longer be required outdoors regardless of vaccination status. Fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks indoors or outdoors. Individuals who are not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors. However, after July 1, the indoor mask mandate will expire.  The Governor did not announce any other changes to the “MI Vacc to Normal” plan or changes to current MIOSHA rules governing employers, employees, and workplace safety.

In other vaccine related news, on May 10, 2021, the FDA expanded the Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) for the Pfizer vaccine. Under the expanded EUA, adolescents 12 through 15 years of age are eligible to be vaccinated.

On Monday May 10, 2021, Governor Whitmer announced that 55% of eligible Michiganders had received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This means Michigan will reach Step 1 of the “MI Vacc To Normal” plan on May 24. Reaching Step 1 means in-person work can resume at all businesses in Michigan on May 24th. As a reminder, here are the details on Steps 2-4:

  • Step 2- 60% of Michiganders (4,858,150 residents), plus two weeks
    • Increases indoor capacity at sports stadiums to 25%.
    • Increases indoor capacity at conference centers/banquet halls/funeral homes to 25%.
    • Increases capacity at exercise facilities and gyms to 50%.
    • Lifts the curfew on restaurants and bars.
  • Step 3- 65% of Michiganders (5,262,996 residents), plus two weeks
    • Lifts all indoor % capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties.
    • Further relaxes limits on residential social gatherings.
  • Step 4- 70% of Michiganders (5,667,842 residents), plus two weeks
    • Lifts the Gatherings and Face Masks Order[1]such that MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.

[1] The broad, indoor mask mandate will expire no later than July 1, 2021.