Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail says she supports Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to re-open certain low-risk businesses in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the governor extended the statewide stay at home order through May 15, she also relaxed restrictions on certain outdoor activities such as golfing, boating and lawn care.
Ingham Health Officer Linda Vail says the county would be at ‘grave risk’ of having a second wave of the virus sweep through had all businesses re-opened quickly.
She says that will take a strategic and targeted approach.
“You probably will not see bars and restaurants open at the very beginning of when things re-open,” says Vail. “You definitely will not see mass gatherings; sports events, festivals, concerts…those sorts of things.”
The governor’s order also requires everyone to wear masks in enclosed spaces, but there’s no provision for that to be enforced.
Vail says she expects businesses will require their employees to wear masks because customers will demand accountability.
