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Rep. VanWoerkom: A measured approach to reopen Michigan
RELEASE|April 20, 2020

House Republicans unveil roadmap to restart economy, return to normalcy

State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom, R-Norton Shores, today said he supports a regional, safety-focused and calculated approach to restarting Michigan’s economy and re-establishing a semblance of normalcy in the COVID-19 era.


House Republicans today unveiled a blueprint to help move the state toward a rolling restart – an approach based on the prevalence and risk factors of the virus, which varies by region. A task force would be established to determine which counties could have some COVID-19 restrictions eased more quickly, getting Muskegon County families back to work and more facets of everyday life as data deems safe.


“The gradual flattening of the case curve in Michigan is a refreshing sign our efforts to adhere to social distancing and other health-safety guidelines are paying dividends,” VanWoerkom said. “The decline in case numbers also serves as the start of a new phase in how to best transition back to normalcy and reopen Michigan’s economy. I have joined my House colleagues in creating a road map to recovery that takes a data-driven, regional approach to give our communities much-needed hope for the future.”


A task force – including representatives from Gov. Whitmer’s administration, the Legislature and outside groups – would place counties into one of three tiers based on coronavirus activity and other factors such as hospitalization rates and capacity. Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties – which have the vast majority of COVID-19 cases in the state – would be in the tier with strictest restrictions. Other counties would be placed in tiers with fewer restrictions.


The same task force would help determine which jobs and activities could be resumed safely, starting from the premise of federal CISA guidelines which in some cases are not as restrictive as the prohibitions now in place in Michigan. The task force would make frequent recommendations to the governor to reflect changes in coronavirus activity.


“This road map will help our state begin a transition that takes a step forward to finding our new normal and get people back to work,” VanWoerkom said. “Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach that classifies what is ‘essential’ or ‘non-essential,’ this approach creates a task force that outlines which counties are eligible for limited reopening based on tangible data, such as rate of spread, positive tests, hospitalizations, reported deaths, and the ability of businesses to implement safe workplace practices. The Legislature wants to partner with the governor and her administration, as well as health and economic experts, to take a sensible, measured approach that is regional and safety-based. Eventually Michigan must turn the page to a new chapter, and the best way forward is through bipartisan collaboration that prioritizes the health and financial needs of Michigan families.”

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