US: Michigan Governor Whitmer lifts stay-at-home order

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted Michigan's nearly 10-week coronavirus stay-at-home order Monday, letting restaurants reopen to dine-in customers next week and immediately easing limits on outdoor gatherings while keeping social-distancing rules intact.

The governor moved regions comprising 93% of the state's population to phase 4 -- "improving" -- two weeks after she announced that northern Michigan could advance to that stage. Businesses where close contact is necessary, such as gyms, hair salons, theaters and amusement parks, will remain closed under a new order.

Retailers can reopen to customers without an appointment on Thursday and restaurants can offer dine-in service on June 8, with capacity limits. Children's day camps, pools, libraries and museums can open June 8. Groups of up to 100 can gather outside if they stay 6 feet apart, up from a threshold of 10 people. In-home services such as housecleaning can resume.

Whitmer said her goal is to shift the state to phase 5 -- "containing" -- before July 4, so businesses like barbershops, indoor gyms, theaters and overnight camps can open. She plans later this week to let the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City regions, where COVID-19 cases and deaths have been low, proceed to phase 5.

"We're taking a big step forward today in Michigan," Whitmer said. "There's crucial individual work we have to do to avoid a second wave. And so, it's on all of you to do your part. My message to you is: Stay smart. Stay Safe. And, if you fit the criteria, get tested. It's on all of us to get this right."

More than 5,600 people have died from coronavirus complications in Michigan, fifth-most in the country. The state on Monday reported 25 additional deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.