On Monday, 55% of Michigan‘s population got vaccinated against COVID-19. This will put an end to the remote work mandate in the coming weeks.
Currently, employers are advised to refrain from onsite work if remote work is a possibility. The state will most likely lift the remote work rule on May 24 2021, as told by Sean Egan, COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director.
“If you’ve gotten your safe, effective vaccine, thank you. And if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to speak to your doctor or your friends or family who’ve been vaccinated to learn about their experiences. Every day we get closer to putting this pandemic behind us and getting back to normal.”Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan
More than 4.4 million people in Michigan aged 16 and above have received at least one vaccination dose.
After two weeks, when the vaccination rate hits 60% vaccination, the capacity at sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls and funeral homes will be raised to 25%. Gyms can expect the occupancy to be raised up to 50% and the 11 p.m. curfew will be removed from restaurants and bars.
All kind of indoor occupancy limits will be removed once 65% of eligible people have had at least one shot of the vaccine. Social distancing will continue.
At 70%, Michigan will do away with its mask and gatherings order. Imposition of broad mitigation measures will be stopped unless unanticipated circumstances such as vaccine-resistant variants of the virus arise. Regions with high case rates can expect a delay in the lifting of restrictions.
On Sunday, Michigan still had the country’s highest coronavirus case rate in the last two-weeks, according to Johns Hopkins University. However, the numbers continued to improve.
Earlier, Michigan had plans to continue with remote work until October. However, with the increased vaccination rate, the state is steadily easing all the restrictions.
According to this plan, it seems like once the state is completely vaccinated, chances are that more in-person work will resume, but fact is, many will indefinitely work from their cozy and safe home office. The state of Michigan will give a green signal to all industries for allowance of in-office work but it entirely depends on the companies thereafter. If businesses have adopted the new way of working – remote work model or a hybrid model- for after the pandemic as well, then the employees of those companies can expect to work remotely even after the state eases all restrictions.
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