The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is lifting an outdoor mask requirement except in gatherings of 100 or more people and in organized contact sports. The revised pandemic order takes effect Thursday.
Large outdoor events, like festivals, fairs, and golf tournaments will be able to exceed the current 1,000-person limit, so long as they post a safety plan consistent with state outdoor event regulations.
Also, anyone who is fully vaccinated and not experiencing symptoms is not required to wear a mask at residential gatherings.
To date, nearly 40% of Michiganders 16 and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The order also says teen athletes no longer must undergo regular COVID-19 testing if they are fully vaccinated. Masks will continue to be required for contact sports, but are no longer required outdoors during active practice and competition for non-contact sports.
Details from the updated order include:
- Large outdoor events, including festivals, fairs, and golf tournaments?will be able to exceed the current 1,000-person limit so long as they create and post a safety plan consistent with the MDHHS Large Outdoor Event Guidance, and no more than 20 persons per 1,000 square feet are gathered in any space available to patrons.
- Outdoor stadiums and arenas:
- Stadiums complying with enhanced protocols will continue to be allowed to operate at 20% of their fixed seating capacity. For example, a stadium with a maximum capacity complying with enhanced protocols would be permitted to host 8,000 patrons.
- Otherwise, for stadiums or arenas with a fixed seating capacity of 5,000 or greater without enhanced protocols 1,000 patrons may be gathered (previously 750).
- For stadiums or arenas with a fixed seating capacity of 10,000 or greater without enhanced protocols 1,500 patrons may be gathered.
- Residential outdoor gatherings?are allowed up to 50 people. Or, where density does not exceed 20 persons per 1,000 square feet of usable outdoor space, up to 300 people may be gathered.
