LANSING, Mich. – Parts of western Michigan have not reverted to a lower phase of Michigan’s safe start plan.
Earlier today, FOX 17 released a story that two regions, Grand Rapids and Lansing, were moved to Phase 3 and Phase 2 respectively. That was based on information in the MI Safe Start panel, which shows that the two regions changed risk phases.
The governor’s office tells FOX 17 that the map does not indicate movement outside of phase 4, but an increased risk of coronavirus spreading in the area.
Restaurants, bars and retail stores could be affected by a change in the state of the Grand Rapids region under the MI Safe Start plan.
On Monday, June 29, the state moved the Grand Rapids region from risk phase 4 to risk phase 3, citing an increase in new cases each day over a two-week period. The region encompasses Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Muskegon, Newaygo, Montcalm, Mecosta, Isabella, Oceana, Lake, Mason, Osceola and Clare counties. The area saw more than 20 new cases per million last week.
Phase 3 is considered medium-high risk for coronavirus spread, with the number of new cases flattening out.
The Lansing region moved from phase 4 risk to phase 2 risk, with more than 40 new cases per million in the past week.
The Grand Rapids region moved to Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start plan in early June.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story said that the Grand Rapids and Lansing regions emerged from Phase 4. That has been updated to reflect that the regions are only in higher risk phases. Retail stores and restaurants must not face changes in the requirements to operate their businesses.
