The Michigan Senate has approved spending up to $25 million to combat the new coronavirus, and some K-12 schools are announcing temporary closures to train staff in case districts end face-to-face instruction and move to online learning. Many universities across the state have moved to online classes or other methods.
The supplemental budget approved Thursday will be signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer once the House concurs with changes. The measure will allocate $10 million to state agencies for preparedness and response to COVID-19. The funding may cover monitoring, lab testing, contact tracing and infection control.
An additional $15 million will be set aside in a new coronavirus response fund for use later.