Michigan removes outdoor COVID-19 rules in time for summer events

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ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Michigan’s relaxed COVID-19 guidelines went into effect Tuesday.

There is no statewide mask mandate for anyone outside and if you’re vaccinated, no longer inside either. 

Plus, capacity lifts to 50 percent for all businesses inside. 

But be aware, there could still be a catch. 

“Individual workplaces and businesses can set their own rules, so it’s important you’re respectful of what each establishment you’re visiting has in place and it’s good to bring a mask with you just in case,”

Outdoors, there aren’t any restrictions.

“People who are fully vaccinated have excellent protection against COVID-19 and really don’t need to worry about wearing a mask, especially outdoors,” said Conrad. “In addition, people who are unvaccinated have a much lower risk of getting COVID-19 because outdoor transmission is relatively low.” 

That news comes just in time for Southwest Michigan graduation ceremonies to be outside this weekend – weather permitting. 

“If we have to move the event indoors we would have capacity limitations at that point, so if we were inside due to bad weather we would be down to about three tickets per graduate,” said Greg Blomgren, Principal at Saint Joseph High School.

But with a warm and sunny forecast, the plan is to send off the Class of 2021 the typical way.

“Full capacity in the football stadium, 250 graduates and we’ll probably have between 2,500 to 3,000 people cheering on the graduates and experience something normal for the first time in quite a while with our kids,” said Blomgren.

Saint Joseph High School said they would wait until about 3 p.m. Sunday to make a decision on if graduation has to be held indoors.

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