The City of Detroit has issued an official recommendation that anyone within the city wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, in order to mitigate the spread of the delta variant.
The recommendation follows similar guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the state Department of Health and Human Services. The city fell short of issuing a full mask mandate.
“We are encouraging Detroiters to mask up indoors out of an abundance of caution,” Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair said in a press release. “We want everyone to stay safe and healthy. Gather outdoors instead of indoors when possible. Stay home if you are sick. Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms.”
COVID-19 cases have risen throughout the state, including in Detroit. According to CDC guidelines, more than half of Michigan counties have substantial or high transmission of the virus, and should start masking again.
No other Michigan city or county has issued a full recommendation, although the city of Grand Rapids has issued a mandate saying employees must wear masks inside city buildings and recommends visitors do the same.
So far, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has said MDHHS won't issue a full mask mandate and has instead urged all Michiganders aged 12 and up to get vaccinated.
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