State Rep. Greg Markkanen today said he is pleased the governor decided to heed the recommendations of legislators who have implored her to allow certain workers to return to their jobs and loosen restrictions on the sale of goods and services, outdoor activities like golf and motorboating, and the freedom to travel between residences.

The revised stay-at-home order announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today allows residents to purchase items from additional businesses through curbside pick-up and delivery – something legislators have been fighting for to improve the lives of residents and put people back to work. It also allows lawn care businesses, landscapers and nurseries to operate if they can do so safely.

“These are the types of unreasonable restrictions that never made sense. I’m glad to see them loosened,” said Markkanen, of Hancock. “None of the surrounding states had stay-at-home orders as restrictive as ours. These changes, which reflect the best practices used in other states, will help many people whose jobs can be done safely get back to work so they can pay their bills and provide for their families.”

Markkanen said more can be done to improve the lives of Upper Peninsula residents while continuing to protect their health and safety. He renewed his call for the governor to work with the Legislature to establish a regional, safety-focused plan to restart Michigan’s economy.

“It simply doesn’t make sense to continue taking a one-size-fits-all approach that imposes the same restrictions on the Upper Peninsula and southeast Michigan,” Markkanen said. “We should be making adjustments that allow people in areas where COVID-19 has not been prevalent to return to normal more quickly.”

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