Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is pictured. (AP photo)

MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday advanced the Upper Peninsula and Traverse City regions to the next phase under her restart plan, which becomes effective Wednesday under a new executive order. Whitmer is expected to move the rest of the state’s more populated areas to that stage in the coming weeks.

“I’m grateful that the U.P. is moving forward today to reopen more businesses in phase five. This hasn’t been easy, balancing the safety of residents and our economy, but our numbers show the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order worked,” said Rep. Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, in a press release from Whitmer’s office. “Even after Memorial Day weekend, we didn’t see a spike in COVID-19 cases. This should give residents, businesses and travelers to our region the confidence and reassurance that we are resilient and ready to responsibly start our U.P. summer season.”

Whitmer also said Friday that barbershops and other personal-care businesses can reopen across Michigan on June 15, while those businesses and places like gyms and movie theaters that were shut down for months to curb the coronavirus can restart in northern Michigan next week.

In 32 northern counties, indoor social gatherings and organized events of up to 50 people will be permissible, subject to distancing and other safety rules. Outdoor gatherings of up to 250 will be allowed. Outdoor performance and sporting venues will be able to have up to 25% capacity or 500 people, whichever is smaller — allowing for some graduation ceremonies, Whitmer said.

Indoor facilities such as bowling alleys, cinemas, convention centers and sports arenas — closed since March 16 — will open at 25% capacity or hold up to 250 people, whatever is smaller, as long as patrons stay 6 feet apart if they are not from the same household. Fitness centers must reduce class sizes as necessary and, “to the extent feasible,” configure workout equipment 10 feet apart — or 6 feet if there are barriers.

Hair, tanning, tattoo and massage businesses will be allowed to reopen statewide on June 15 after being closed since March 22.

Barbers and hairdressers were the focus of a conservative group’s protest at the Capitol more than two weeks ago.

Restaurants, which are open in northern Michigan at 50% capacity, can reopen across the state Monday under a previous announcement. Whitmer said customer capacity limits will remain in place for “a while.”

COVID-19 data update

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is providing additional and improved statistics on its website at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

New data presentation was developed by MDHHS staff using PowerBI software.

“We are continuing to improve the information we are providing as our goal is to share timely and accurate data during this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, in a news release. “Data is now being provided in visual, easy-to-understand graphs and allow users to display data by date, for their county or by preparedness region.”

The following information is being included:

≤ Confirmed and probable cases and deaths by age group, sex and race breakdowns for the state, preparedness regions and counties;

≤ Total serologic and diagnostic tests by county and preparedness region; and

≤ Cumulative confirmed cases and deaths by date.

The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists has provided a national standard defining “probable” cases. Identifying probable cases and deaths provides a more complete picture of how COVID-19 has impacted the state. They are defined by one of the following:

≤ Having clinical disease and an epidemiologic link;

≤ Having a presumptive lab result and either clinical disease or an epidemiologic link; and

≤ Having a death certificate that lists COVID-19 disease as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death without a positive COVID-19 confirmed lab result.

Director named

Whitmer appointed Sean Egan to serve as director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety. In addition to this role, Egan also serves as deputy director for labor at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, where he oversees MIOSHA, Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency, the Bureau of Employment Relations and the Wage and Hour Division.

The appointment follows efforts to ensure Michigan workers are protected as the state slowly and safely begins to open sectors of the economy. In May, Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-91 requiring businesses to adhere to strict safety guidelines to protect workers, patrons and their communities from infection. Whitmer also signed Executive Directive 2020-6 to appoint a director of COVID-19 Workplace Safety within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Egan, a lifelong westside Michigander, served in the U.S. Navy and afterward started an apprenticeship and became a journeyman electrician through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He maintains his membership in his union and state license as a journeyman to this day.

Stormy Kromer lends aid

In early March, Stormy Kromer, based in Ironwood, shifted from producing outdoor gear to much-needed personal protective equipment, primarily masks and gowns. As supplies to essential workers were fulfilled and the general public’s need for masks increased, Stormy Kromer shifted again to fill those needs, InvestUP announced.

The company committed 10% of the profits from its flannel face coverings to two organizations. Earlier this week, it donated $9,076.65 to the Gogebic Range Health Foundation and the St. Luke N.E.W. Life Center in Flint, which supports its commercial sewing. Stormy Kromer President Gina Thorsen was quoted as saying, “We were frankly blown away by the amount that we were able to donate due to the sales this month, and we feel incredibly proud to be able to help in communities that need it.”

Stormy Kromer will continue to donate 10% of profits to those organizations for as long as sales of the masks continue.

Christie Mastric can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net.