LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer will hold a press conference Wednesday where many anticipate she will address the future of Michigan gyms and entertainment venues shuttered from the pandemic.
These businesses have been closed for more than five months now, and business owners are eager to know what's next.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding the state’s response efforts to COVID-19.
They will be joined by a Michigan business leader to announce a significant investment in Michigan's economy to help support small businesses and build communities in our state, according to the governor's office.
The press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2 at 2:30 p.m.
WATCH LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE HERE AT 2:30 P.M.
Fitness club owners say they need to reopen as fall and winter approach, or else they don't know how their businesses will survive without further funding.
"As soon as we did get the news that we did have to close our in-person facility, the day that we closed we got online and started doing virtual sessions," said Jessica Zukowski with 4Ever Fit boot camp.
4Ever Fit boot camp adjusted to the times, trying to keep its clients in shape, while adhering to the governor's shut down that remains in effect today – five months and counting.
Fitness centers, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and ice arenas are among the venues that have yet to reopen. But an announcement on this is anticipated.
“We are assessing if there are sufficient protocols around businesses that have not yet been engaged, to see if we can start to reengage at some level on those fronts," said Gov. Whitmer. "I'm not going to be bullied into making a decision. I’m going to follow the science."
"We’re definitely not bullying the governor. We actually are trying to be part of the solution."
The Michigan Fitness Club Association says it's ready and points to the CDC's findings that obesity lowers chances of fighting off COVID-19.
"Every gym that is in our association has signed a safe start pledge," said Donald Jordan with F45 Livonia. "A certain set of standards which are actually above and beyond the standard set by Michigan."
Regions 6 and 8 have been open.
"We’ve been ready. We have all of our protocols in place our procedures in place," said Mindi Priskey with the Mt. Clemens ice arena. "Our staff members have already been trained like everything that we need so we’re ready."