Joint Statement by Three Ethnic Commission Chairs 

We, the Chairs of three ethnic commissions of Michigan – Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, and Hispanic Latino Commission, join with the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II in expressing empathy and concerns for people in communities of color across the nation and right here in Michigan who are feeling a sense of exhaustion and desperation. We stand in solidarity with our communities seeking equitable justice for everyone in our state. We cannot live in a society and a country where our rights and our dignity are not equal for all.

Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-110 today, allowing retailers to begin to reopen on June 4 with certain capacity limits in place, and beginning June 8, restaurants, bars and children’s camps may also begin to reopen with limited capacity for both indoor and outdoor restaurant services. 

 to Restart Michigan’s Economy Beginning May 1

Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced that Michigan’s Region 5 is advancing to the Phase 4: IMPROVING status under her Michigan Safe Start Plan for relaunching the economy. The following statement of support of the Governor’s announcement can be attributed to Steven Japinga, vice president public affairs, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce:

LANSING, MICH. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) today announced that DIFS Director Anita Fox has ordered all auto insurers in Michigan to issue refunds or premium waivers to consumers as a result of insurance companies’ reduced risk due to extreme reductions in driving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused massive disruptions across societies and industries, forcing us to alter the way we live day-to-day and, of course, the way we do business. We can’t diminish the human and economic toll this crisis has caused, but in order to begin to move forward, we can glean some silver linings.

Stay-at-home order lifted

In a press conference Monday, Governor Whitmer rescinded the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order effective immediately.

June Update: