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All indoor and outdoor settings will increase to 100% capacity and face masks no longer required.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer today accelerated the end of all COVID-19 epidemic orders on gatherings and masking as COVID-19 cases continue to plummet following increased vaccinations. Beginning June 22, capacity in both indoor and outdoor settings will increase to 100% and the state will no longer require residents to wear a face mask.
Following that update, the MDHHS Updated the most recent order to reflect this.
View the updated order here. In addition to the Gatherings and Mask Order, additional orders are being rescinded as of June 22 and can be found here.
Additionally, some orders will remain in effect to protect vulnerable populations in corrections, long-term care, and agriculture. Public health measures will continue for reporting requirements and COVID testing to make sure areas where community spread is high are identified, kids are safe in school and free COVID-19 tests are available.
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MIOSHA Emergency Rules Updated - 6/23/21
As noted, the MDHHS capacity guidelines for both indoor and outdoor settings increased to 100%, and the state no longer required residents to wear a face mask. Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) also filed COVID-19 emergency rules to align with Federal OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The updated rules went into effect on June 22nd, and are set to expire Dec. 22, 2021. The rules rescind the emergency rules issued on May 24, 2021 and focus on health care settings.
The updated MIOSHA emergency rules explicitly state, “These rules apply to all healthcare employers covered in the Michigan occupational safety and health act,” and solely focus on health care settings where known or suspected COVID-19 patients may be present. Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity states, “These workplaces may have a higher exposure risk for employees and need continued protections to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
Dialing back workplace rules for non-healthcare settings allows employers to use their best judgment in determining whether to maintain:
- Daily health screenings
- Face covering requirements; and
- Social distancing requirements
MIOSHA strongly encourages workplaces to follow the available CDC and OSHA recommendations to mitigate hazards. Further, Michigan statute requires employers to provide a “safe and healthful work environment free of recognized hazards.” This means COVID-19 will need to continue to be managed as a hazard in the workplace and citations are still possible under MIOSHA’s general duty clause.
View the Health Department of Northwest Michigan Toolkit for Employers HERE.Resources
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Expanded Employee Retention Tax Credit: The new law significantly expands the employee retention tax credit beginning on January 1, 2021. The credit expires on January 1, 2022. The prior credit was 50% on $10,000 in qualified wages for the whole year (or a maximum of $5,000 per employee). The new credit is 70% on $10,000 in wages per quarter (or a maximum $14,000 per employee through June 30th).
The new law also expands which employers are eligible. Prior to the new law, the employee retention tax credit applied only to an employer who experienced a decline in gross receipts of more than 50% in a quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019. Eligibility is now expanded to include employers who experienced a decline of more than 20%.
Employers can now also receive both the Employee Retention Tax Credit and a PPP loan, just not to cover the same payroll expenses.
This is a refundable tax credit.
See the US Chamber’s original Guide to the ERTC for more information.
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Click on the links below to download
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Stay up to date on the latest resources and updates for Michigan Businesses for all employers to monitor the Coronavirus outbreak and implement strategies to protect their workforce while ensuring continuity of operations. Michigan Chamber Website.
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Find the latest here of resources and guidelines to help protect American workers from the United States Chamber of Commerce.
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Follow this link for a list of resources and information for Michigan businesses during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. We will continue to update this page as more resources become available. If you have any questions or wish to speak to MEDC directly, please call 888.522.0103.
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