In an interview with 7 Action News, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the state is concerned about recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in Michigan.
She said the goal was to get the state into phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan by July 4. However, she said this decision is going to be driven by data.
There have been outbreaks in Ingham County, with at least 14 cases linked to a popular bar in East Lansing.
Additionally, there have been outbreaks in agricultural facilities across the state, the governor said.
Whitmer said based on conversations with epidemiologists, the more people move around, the more likely it is that spread can occur.
"We've been doing this for a while," she said. "We're tired of it, I'm tired of it. But until we have a vaccine, wearing masks, washing our hands, practicing social distancing is going to be critical."
Whitmer said if the state drops its guard now, it will very likely increase spread. She warned that if there is community spread, the state may have to take steps backward.
"I don't want to do that, I know that no one wants to," she said. "As people are thinking about gathering, wear your mask, be smart and practice social distancing."
"If we have community spread, we will all have to make a sacrifice again."
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help businesses and restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
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Join the Rebound Mid Michigan Facebook Group.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
