Michigan manufacturing can resume production on Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday.
The auto plants have already said they plan to restart production one week later, on May 18. But the auto parts suppliers and tool and die shops, which said they needed to get moving ahead of the auto plants, can resume work as soon as Monday.
The governor’s announcement is a major step forward in restarting the state’s economy from the coronavirus pandemic, after a state of emergency was declared in Michigan on March 10 and a stay-at-home order issued March 23.
This story from Paul Egan and Jamie L. LaReau originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press.
At the same time, Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order through May 28. It had been scheduled to end May 15.
Manufacturing accounts for about 19 percent of the state’s economy, and close to 5 percent is already operating because it was deemed essential, Whitmer said.
“This is good news for our state, our businesses and our working families,” Whitmer said.