Business groups urge Michigan governor to let offices reopen

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Business groups on Thursday urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to let employers reopen their offices for in-person work rather than lengthen a coronavirus-related restriction set to expire in mid-April.

In October, after a court ruling upended the Democratic governor's pandemic orders, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Administration issued six-month emergency rules to keep intact a requirement that employers prohibit in-person work to the extent that employees' activities can feasibly be completed remotely.

Jason Moon, a spokesman for the state Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, which includes MIOSHA, said it is “very likely” the regulations will be extended while the agency writes permanent rules to supersede them.

Leaders of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and seven local chambers pointed to a decline in COVID-19 case rates in recent months and said manufacturers, heath providers and other businesses have shown in-person work is safe if protocols are followed.

Whitmer this week announced the further loosening of business capacity limits and the formation of a workgroup to assess and make recommendations for a phased return to office work.

“We're ready. Businesses are ready,” said Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Baker. “I hope it's an authentic effort.”

The groups have formed a coalition, Reopen Michigan Safely, to press for a full reopening of all businesses. It said a pressing issue is the April 14 expiration of MIOSHA's COVID-19 workplace safety order, which the Whitmer administration is empowered to extend for an additional six months.

“There are many, many things that can be done productively virtually. There are frankly many things that frankly cannot be done productively virtually. What we're...