Michigan Gov allows manufacturing to start but extends lockdown

Michigan’s Democratic governor will allow the manufacturing industry to start up again next week but has extended the stay-at-home order until May 28 after armed protesters stormed the capitol over the state’s strict COVID-19 lockdown measures.

Gov Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday said the state’s factories can reopen on May 11, removing one of the last major obstacles to North American automakers bringing thousands of laid-off employees back to work amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite reopening the manufacturing sector, Whitmer has extended her state’s stay-at-home order by about two weeks to May 28 in a bid to avoid a second surge of COVID-19 infections. 

Michigan currently has more than 47,600 infections and over 4,300 deaths. 

‘We’re not out of the woods yet but this is an important step forward,’ Whitmer said. ‘As we continue to phase in sectors of our economy, I will keep working around the clock to ensure our businesses adopt best practices to protect workers.’ 

The governor previously extended the state’s coronavirus stay-at-home order through May 15 but had lifted restrictions for some businesses including the construction industry. 

Neighboring Ohio allowed manufacturing to resume on Monday, putting pressure on Whitmer to follow suit.  

A militia group was among the armed protesters who stormed Michigan’s capitol in Lansing last month over the state’s strict COVID-19 lockdown measures

Protestors tried to enter the Michigan House of Representative chamber last month over Whitmer’s request to extend the state of emergency 

Hundreds of protesters, including militia group members carrying firearms and people with pro-Trump signs, stormed the state’s capitol in Lansing last month in defiance of Whitmer’s request to extend the state of emergency

Protesters, many from more rural, Trump-leaning parts of Michigan, have argued it has crippled the economy statewide

Whitmer has come under pressure from some Michigan residents and Republican lawmakers to ease her lockdown of the state to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

She has emphasized a phased approach to reopening the state, addressing regions and businesses that are less affected or better protected.

Hundreds of protesters, including militia group members carrying firearms and people with pro-Trump signs, stormed the state’s capitol in Lansing last month in defiance of Whitmer’s request to extend the state of emergency. 

Those protesters ignored state social-distancing guidelines as they clustered together within 6 feet of each other and few people wore masks. 

Some protesters chanted ‘USA’ and ‘lock her up’ in reference to Whitmer. 

Whitmer has acknowledged that her order was among the strictest in the country. Protesters, many from more rural, Trump-leaning parts of Michigan, have argued it has crippled the economy statewide even as the majority of deaths from the virus are centered on the southeastern Detroit metro area. 

Michigan’s shutdown had prevented efforts of some automakers to restart vehicle assembly anywhere in the United States because so many critical parts suppliers are based in the state. 

Automakers and their suppliers already have begun gearing up for a possible resumption of work at their US plants but needed the official go-ahead from Whitmer. 

Industry officials had been pressing Whitmer to allow suppliers to reopen starting May 11 so the automakers could resume operations on their target date.

Number one US automaker General Motors had on Monday said it was aiming to reopen its North American plants on May 18, the day after smaller Italian-American rival FCA provided the same target. Ford Motor Co has not said what date it is targeting. 

Under Whitmer’s new order, factories must adopt measures to protect workers, including daily entry screening, no-touch temperature screening as soon as possible and use of protective gear like face masks. 

Automakers have already rolled out such policies.