MI Safe Start Plan: Phase 4 Explained
June 9, 2020The Chamber’s Role
Through the Chamber, the business community has played a role in shaping the pathway for the governor’s orders. Although Gov. Whitmer has not always taken the advice of business leaders, she has always been open to hearing it. The governor reached out to the Chamber the initial weekend before the stay-at-home order was put in place, said Baruah. The Chamber worked with other business groups throughout the state to craft what the business message is. Baruah was pleased when the governor actually took their advice. This included essential businesses having the ability to identify their own critical supply chains, and the ability for nonessential businesses to identify essential staff members to perform essential operations like keeping inventory safe.Where We Are
We are no longer under a stay-at-home order, explained Williams. The presumption is that you can now leave your home with or without good reason and with fewer restrictions. While the stay-at-home order has been lifted, we are still under an emergency order, and will likely remain this way for a long time, said Williams. This gives Gov. Whitmer the power to close schools, issue the stay-at-home orders, to open or close barber shops, etc. “An emergency order may ascend well beyond this calendar year… until we have a vaccine and beyond that,” said Williams. This doesn’t mean that the governor will be continually opening and closing hair salons. But it is important that under a public health emergency like this that we have an executive who can respond quickly, noted Williams. The good news is that we are heading toward some recognizable normalcy.For now, businesses should maintain social distancing as much as possible, and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees and customers. Offices should consider how to maintain social distancing, and keep employees still working from home when possible.