Libraries to Be Included on Governor's Reopening Advisory Workgroups

May 13, 2020

Last week, MLA heard that Governor Whitmer would be forming workgroups to help determine reopening plans for different industries, and MLA immediately asked to be at the table.

We received communications yesterday that Governor Whitmer formally announced the creation of these advisory workgroups (led by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity). The workgroups will provide input on Michigan’s process to safely re-engage the economy. Workgroups will focus on mitigation of transmission risk in the workplace, including but not limited to best practices for workplace safety, PPE requirements, and retraining workers on newly implemented COVID-19 work requirements.

The first set of workgroups formed includes childcare, hair salons/barbershops, home service providers, outdoor recreation and restaurants/bars. The next workgroups that will be formed will include libraries as well as workgroups for amateur sports, churches, community centers, entertainment, gyms, retail, travel/tourism as well as a number of other industries. A good sign of being included as one of the workgroups is that the Governor is hearing our message and wanting us to look carefully at how the phased reopening of libraries will protect the citizens of Michigan from the continued spread of COVID-19.