Michigan’s State of Emergency Extended to Aug. 11; US-Canada Border Closure Extended to Aug. 21
July 15, 2020Michigan’s State of Emergency and Disaster Declaration Extended to Aug. 11
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week signed Executive Order 2020-151 extending the state’s emergency and disaster declaration until Aug. 11. As COVID-19 cases continue to increase across Michigan and the nation as a whole, the economic toll of the virus is mounting. With unemployment rates higher than those of the Great Depression, the Michigan Department of Treasury predicts that Michigan will lose $1-3 billion in revenue this year. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, these and other health and societal impacts of the virus continue to constitute a statewide emergency and disaster.
U.S.-Canada Border to Remain Closed Until Aug. 21
The reopening of the U.S.-Canada border, previously set for July 21, has been pushed out to Aug. 21 in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. The closure of the border to nonessential travel has been in place since March 21. Commerce and commercial trade will continue. Freight rail, sea, and air travel are also exempt from these restrictions. Essential health care workers who work on different sides of the border are also able to cross through.