Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the lifting of the state's COVID-19 stay-at-home order, letting restaurants reopen to dine-in customers next week, and immediately easing limits on gatherings while keeping social-distancing rules intact.

On Monday, the governor moved six remaining regions comprising 93% of the state’s population to phase 4, the “improving" phase, of the MI Safe Start Plan. This comes just two weeks after she announced that two regions in northern Michigan could advance to that stage. Some businesses where close contact is necessary like gyms, hair salons, indoor theaters, and casinos will remain closed.

Retailers can reopen to customers without an appointment on Thursday and restaurants can offer dine-in service June 8, both with capacity limits. Day camps for children and pools can open June 8. Groups of up to 100 can gather outside with social distancing, up from a threshold of 10.

Whitmer said her goal is to shift the state to phase 5, “containing”, before July 4. Michiganders must continue to wear facial coverings when in enclosed public spaces and take extra precautions to protect the community.