Good Afternoon,
Once again, it seems that we are heading in the right direction with COVID. Case rates are trending down, hospitalizations, while still high, are also trending down across the state. We are not in the clear yet, but the numbers are promising.
Earlier this week, the CDC announced new guidelines for people who are fully vaccinated including changes to masking recommendations and social distancing in certain situations especially outdoors. Click here for a helpful graphic explaining the new recommendations.
In addition, earlier today, Governor Whitmer held a press conference announcing the “Mi Vacc to Normal” plan. This plan outlines specific restrictions that will be lifted as the state reaches certain vaccination milestones. The first milestone will be when Michigan vaccinates 55% of all Michiganders 16 and older (4,453,304 residents). Two weeks after we hit that number, in-person work will be allowed for all sectors of business. We could reach this milestone as soon as next week, meaning more in-person work could be allowed by the end of May. Click here to read more about this plan.
In addition, Governor Whitmer mentioned that the state will be updating the state-wide mask rules soon to reflect the CDC’s updated guidelines. We will be monitoring the situation closely and will update our protocols as appropriate.
For now, while you are at work our existing face mask protocol applies:
- Indoors:
- A face mask must be worn inside a WCRC facility, including garages, restrooms and hallways, whenever an employee leaves their assigned workspace (office, cubical, vehicle, mechanics’ bay).
- All staff shall wear a face mask when entering an “enclosed public space” during the workday. For example: a grocery store or gas station.
- Authorized visitors to any WCRC facility are required to wear face coverings per this protocol.
- Outdoors:
- All staff or authorized visitors working at a WCRC jobsite shall wear a face mask when maintaining 6 feet of social distancing is not possible.
These steps are all great signs of the improving situation. Vaccines remain the only way we are going to get back to normal.
Thank you to those who have chosen to receive the vaccine already, I continue to encourage everyone to do their research and get vaccinated as soon as possible. We are so close!
I hope you have a relaxing and safe weekend,
Sheryl
