Most people were expecting it and now it is official - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended the state's stay-at-home order until May 15. The good news for many who have been opposed to the order, is that this new order has also lifted some restrictions.

ClickOnDetroit reports that some businesses like golf courses and those that are associated with motorized boating will be allowed to reopen under the new order. (Golfers will be allowed to use courses, but the use of carts is still prohibited.)

FOX-17 reports that the new order also requires, instead of encourages, people to wear face masks when out doing essential tasks like grocery shopping if "medically tolerable". All in-person employees must also be provided masks by their employers. The new rules for masks go into effect on April 26, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

To the relief of many in Michigan, FOX-17 says that stores such as bike shops, nurseries, landscaping companies and lawn services will be allowed to reopen. Larger stores such as Home Depot and Meijer will no longer have to close off certain areas of their stores that were previously deemed "non-essential".

According to ClickonDetroit, travel between residences (such as cabins and summer homes) is also now permitted, though still discouraged.

Restaurants, bars, movie theaters, gyms and other larger facilities such as concert venues will remain closed.

Executive Order 2020-59 takes effect immediately. You can read the order in its entirety here. 

As of April 23, 2020, Michigan had over 35,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state and nearly 3,000 people have died from the virus.

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