Detroit
Eater, Jun 22, 2021 — As of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, Michigan has lifted indoor capacity restrictions at restaurants and bars and gotten rid of all mask requirements.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said on Thursday, June 17 that the early-than-expected end to mandates was due to Restaurants, bars, and other private businesses may still require masks, social distancing, any safety precautions if they choose.
Restaurants and bars can now operate at full house, both indoors and outdoors.
The move comes 15 months after the governor’s first order mandating masks. COVID-19 infections have dropped to the lowest rate in a year and vaccinations in the state have risen in recent weeks.
According to the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, 3,000 restaurants in the state have permanently closed and 200,000 workers have been laid off as a result of the pandemic.
