New, loosened COVID restrictions start in Michigan

ALPENA, Mich. — Just in time for summer, on Tuesday Michigan residents will start following a new, loosened set of COVID-19 restrictions.

There are no more limits on outdoor gatherings, and several changes came to indoor events, too. All indoor venues can now seat up to 50 percent of their pre-pandemic capacity, up from 25 percent.

There will no longer be a curfew, either, so bars and restaurants can stay open until 2 a.m., and 24-hour services can resume.

Events like weddings and conferences will now have their capacity regulated by the venue that is hosting, rather than by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

“We have a lot of weddings,” said Norm Sommerfeld of the Alpena APLEX. “That’s going to help, not having to worry about how close they are getting to that number.”