Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN—On Friday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order that would allow for salons and nail salons to reopen statewide on June 15.

The order additionally provides new guidance for events venues, gatherings and public pools.

Salons and gathering venues have been closed under strict COVID-19 mandates since March 24, when Whitmer ordered non-essential businesses to temporarily close.

Executive order 2020-115 gives allowances to open certain businesses to reopen. Of these “gyms, hair salons, indoor theaters, tattoo parlors and similar establishments will be permitted to reopen, subject to strict workplace safeguards.”

Region 6 and 8 include the Traverse City region and the Upper Peninsula.

On June 15 at 12:01 a.m., Executive Order 2020-110 will be rescinded. The order restriction the operations of facilities offering non-essential care services.

“I find it reasonable and necessary to allow personal care services, including hair and nail salons, to open statewide as of June 15,” Whitmer said in the order.

The order includes guidance that work that can be performed remotely, should continue to be performed remotely.

Citizens are still advised to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth, unless they are unable medically to tolerate a face covering. Examples of face coverings recommended include a homemade mask, scarf, bandana or handkerchief.

The order states “an individual may be required to temporarily remove a face covering upon entering an enclosed public space for identification purposes. An individual may also remove a face covering to eat or drink when seated at a restaurant or bar.”

Public gatherings, performances and events are under new guidance in the most recent executive order. While the order maintains that persons not of the same household should maintain a distance of 6 feet from one another, indoor events must not exceed 50 people and an outdoor gatherings must not exceed 250 people.

“An arcade, bowling alley, cinema, climbing facility, convention center, performance space, meeting hall, night club, sports arena, theater, or similar venue may, if it is indoors be open to spectators or patrons,” the order states.

Maintaining a 6-foot distance in indoor venues is listed, in addition to an indoor limit of 500 people or 25 percent of the venue’s maximum capacity, whichever is smaller.

Outdoor parks and recreational facilities may be open.

Public swimming pools are also given guidance. According to the executive order, outdoor pools must limit bather capacity limits of 50 percent, while indoor pools must limit to 25 percent bather capacity.