Retailers and shopping malls will be allowed to reopen on Thursday after Gov. David Ige issued another emergency proclamation today.
At a news conference today, Ige announced that, based on the state’s consistently low rate of new COVID-19 cases, certain “low-risk” businesses will be allowed to reopen on May 7.
Those businesses include non-food agriculture, astronomical observatories and observatories, car washes, pet grooming services, certain non-profits, certain retail businesses including apparel and electronics and shopping malls. Health care providers will also be allowed to resume elective surgeries.
Reopening businesses will be required to maintain social distancing guidelines, Ige said, and personal protective equipment will be required for employees and customers alike. Public gatherings remain prohibited, and parks remain off-limits.
Mall food courts will not be allowed to reopen, Ige said, although the food court restaurants will be able to offer takeout.
Ige said reopening these businesses is the “stabilization phase” of the state’s gradual economic recovery plan, which he added is largely based on guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The state is continuing to evaluate all businesses that remain closed to determine when they might be allowed to reopen.
Ige also said the statewide stay-at-home order will be rebranded as a “safer-at-home” order in light of the proclamation, although he encouraged residents to remain at home except for essentials.
If the number of COVID-19 cases increases again after the reopening — which Ige said he “anticipates” — Ige warned that the state may have to reinstate restrictions on businesses.