Whitmer lifts mask requirement for fully vaccinated Michiganders

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be lifting the mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals following this week’s announcement from the CDC.

The new order will go into effect on Saturday, May 15 at 9 a.m.

“For more than a year, we’ve been following the best data and science to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Governor Whitmer. “The vast majority of us have trusted the scientists and experts to keep us safe during the pandemic, and it has worked. With millions of Michiganders fully vaccinated, we can now safely and confidently take the next step to get back to normal.”

On Thursday, the CDC recommended lifting the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws and rules.

“The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and all the hard work that Michiganders have done allows us to take a big step in returning to normal,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “This updated order keeps Michigan in alignment with CDC guidance that is based on the knowledge of health experts. I urge our residents to continue to be respectful of each other as we move forward.”

Under this updated order, Michiganders, regardless of vaccination status, no longer need to wear a mask outdoors. When indoors, fully vaccinated Michiganders can go without masks while those not fully vaccinated are still required to wear a mask.

The broad indoor mask mandate expires on July 1.

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