REOPENING

JACKSON, MI – Michigan officials helped celebrate the reopening of a heavily-used bridge in Jackson. Gretchen Whitmer visited Jackson on Friday, May 13 to attend the reopening of the E. Washington Avenue bridge after it has been closed for construction. The bridge in Jackson was one of 19 bridges across Michigan that will see repairs as a part of a $24.3 million “bridge bundling project,” according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Officials did not have a specific cost for the Jackson bridge alone. Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Jackson Friday, May 13, to attend the reopening of the E. Washington Avenue bridge after it has been closed for construction.

The Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) announced on Thursday the relaunch of the Detroit People Mover has been postponed after heavy rainfall entered several stations, resulting in a need for additional inspections.

The Ark will soon reopen its doors for live shows.

President Biden is set to announce a “month of action” on Wednesday in an effort to vaccinate as many Americans as possible ahead of the Fourth of July.

AADL will reopen all five of its locations on July 12.

Michiganders can finally return to the office to work as of May 24. As companies start to make the transition of having employees come into the office, some businesses are slowly making to make sure their workers feel safe.

Michigan has released its new plan for fully reopening the state as COVID-19 cases decline and residents eye a return to normalcy.

The Friendship Circle helps more than 3,000 people with special needs along with their families.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Starting Thursday, several streets in downtown Ann Arbor will close to cars allowing for more outdoor dining and shopping during the spring and summer. The Downtown Ann Arbor Pedestrian Mall will provide additional space facilitating safer physical distancing practices as community members visit businesses and restaurants. The closures will run from Thursday, April 1 to August 30. This year, some streets will be closed every day of the week while other closures will only take place from 4 p.m. on Thursdays to 6 a.m. on Mondays. Here’s which streets will close:Week-long closures:Washington Street from Ashley Street to Main StreetMaynard Street on the east side or northbound portion between Liberty to William streetsThursdays at 4 p.m. to Mondays at 6 a.m.:Main Street between William to Washington streetsEast Liberty Street from Ashley Street to Fourth AvenueLiberty Street between Maynard to State streetsState Street from Washington Street to William StreetDue to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, similar street closures first took place in the summer of 2020.

Some gyms face uncertain future with state's reopening on holdPublished: July 16, 2020, 5:49 pmSome gyms are facing an uncertain future with the state's reopening on hold.

Its time once again to experience one of the gems in Detroit that has been welcoming guests for years. After being closed for month, the Detroit Institute of Arts once again will welcome guests starting this Friday. Elliot Broom, Vice President of Museum Operations, joined host Tati Amare to talk about some of the changes the museum is making. Following the Governors direction, masks will he required for all visitors and staff while theyre inside the building, said Broom. To learn more about the changes the DIA has made, watch the video above.

NOVI, Mich. When major manufacturers shut down in March, many smaller producers in limbo. The small shop repairs and maintains manufacturing spindles, the parts that make the parts in some of Michigans largest plants and factories, including the Big Three Automakers. Through the pandemic weve had to do furlough, so weve gone down to as low as 50 percent of our workforce, Tom Hogan is Setcos director of North American sales said. On a tour of the shop, Hogan said once manufacturing reopened the back log of work was daunting. A problem faced by many other small producers which makes the recent rise in cases both in Michigan and across the country a looming threat.

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. Reopening business amid the coronavirus pandemic will be a real challenge for a hands-on operation such as an indoor rock climbing gym. We went to Planet Rock in Madison Heights to see how theyre staff is working to reopen with strict safety measures in place. Coronavirus pages:

DEARBORN, Mich. The Henry Ford Museum announced its reopening amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic after being closed to the public since March. Businesses across Michigan have been recently cleared to reopen with restrictions under Governor Gretchen Whitmers MI Safe Start Plan as the states spread of COVID-19 slows. READ: Heres everything thats reopening Monday in Michigan after COVID-19 shutdownOfficials say the museum sites will reopen in phases, beginning by operating only from Thursday through Sunday with limited and timed visitation. Hands-on activities will no longer be available at museum sites to prevent the spread of COVID-19. READ MORE: Reopening Michigan amid the COVID-19 pandemic

ANN ARBOR Starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, several streets in the downtown area will be closing to cars to allow for expanded shopping and patio services for bars, restaurants and retail businesses. Ann Arbor City Council recently approved the closures to help businesses facilitate safer physical distancing practices during the health crisis. The street closures will last until 8 p.m. on Sunday and will be put into place every weekend until Aug. 23. The closures include:Main Street from William Street to Liberty StreetMain Street from Liberty Street to Washington StreetWashington Street from South Ashley to Main StreetMaynard Street from East Liberty Street to East William Street (closure is seven days a week)East Liberty Street from Thompson Street to South State StreetSouth State Street from East Washington Street to East William StreetClosures to begin on Friday, June 19 include:Church Street from South University to Willard StreetDetroit Street from East Kingsley Avenue to North Fifth AvenueForest Street alley Like what youre reading? Sign up for our email newsletter here!

In Greektown, 18 restaurants and bars have opened again with coronavirus (COVID-19) safety guidelines in place. Its just like opening a restaurant all over again, said Tasso Teftsis, co-owner of Astoria Pastry Shop and Red Smoke Barbecue. Astoria Pastry Shop reopened Friday, but Red Smoke Barbecue is open for carry-out only. Instead of 350 people tonight, well probably have around 100 people, said Spero Dionysopoulos, co-owner of Golden Fleece and Exodus. While most bars and restaurants in Greektown have reopened or are planning to do so this weekend, Five Guys and Wahlburgers remain closed.

PHOENIX – For the second time, Arizona is activating its hospital emergency plan as cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in the state following implementation of their reopening plan. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order expired on May 15, COVID-19 cases have soared 110 percent - more than doubling to 27,678, as of Monday, according to NBC affiliate KPNX. The governor said last week that an increase in cases was due to an increase in testing. But ICU and ventilator use are rising in state hospitals. Worldwide, more than 400,000 have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University, including 110,000 in the U.S.

ANN ARBOR Although Monday marks the reopening of several governmental offices -- including operations at Larcom City Hall -- Washtenaw County courts will not be reopening for in-person business for now. Phases one and two will only allow employees in court buildings, and in-person services are expected to start up again in late June and early July. Until then, all court proceedings, probation interviews and any other public services will be conducted via videoconferencing, phone calls, mail or other means. If a visitor does not have a face covering, some court locations will be able to provide them at the security screening locations. Visitors will be screened for symptoms and COVID exposure at the security screening locations.

For the rest of the state, restaurants can reopen to dine-in service Monday. Outdoor crowds of up to 100 people are allowed, effective immediately, Whitmer said. In-home services such as house cleaning are also permitted immediately, Whitmer said. Gyms, hair salons, tattoo parlors and casinos will remain closed because they require close contact with customers, Whitmer said. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 58,870 as of Sunday afternoon, including 5,656 deaths, state officials report.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. Amusement parks in Michigan are waiting for Gov. Barrymores is giving us a look at what the amusement park will have changed once it does reopen. David Dalpizzol, who runs the park, said social distancing will be key. With all the precautions and changes, Dalpizzol feels the park will be cleaner than a grocery store. More stories: Reopening Michigan -- whats open, and how, amid pandemic

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo is set to reopen Monday, June 8 after being closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. ORIGINAL STORY: Detroit Zoo to reopen June 8 for members, with new procedures in placeIt will be open to members for four days before allowing the general public inside. Thousands of people would visit the Detroit Zoo every day, but now it will be limited to 1,000 with no more than 500 people on the zoo grounds at one time. Detroit Zoo CEO Ron Kagan said they’re taking COVID-19 seriously and want to be careful about reopening. RELATED: Tiger tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) -- what does this mean for our pets?

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo is set to reopen Monday, June 8 after being closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the zoo will have an exclusive opportunity to visit during a special four-day reopening period. Also, prior to entering you will be required to show your ID, membership card and digital or printed timed ticket at the zoo’s admission booth. The zoo says it has implemented enhanced cleaning procedures, including in restrooms where attendants will be monitoring capacity limits. To find out more about the zoo’s reopening procedures click here.

TROY, Mich. – As Michigan slowly eases restrictions and businesses open back up, local libraries are rushing to get ready. But with all the books, it’s going to be a lot of work to keep everything clean. Related: Ann Arbor District Library announces reopening plansCathy Russ, the director of the Troy Public Library, could barely contain her excitement when she heard libraries across the state would reopen. Read more: Reopening MichiganThere were 40,000 library books checked out when the quarantine began. Russ said she’s excited to welcome people back inside and get them reading some of their favorite books again -- while staying health.

Metro Detroit libraries prepare to reopenPublished: June 3, 2020, 11:47 pmAs Michigan slowly eases restrictions and businesses open back up, local libraries are rushing to get ready.

The Detroit Zoo is set to reopen Monday, June 8 after being closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. The zoo will start accepting reservation requests from members this Friday, June 5 on its website. Camping in Michigan state parks and recreation areas will resume June 22, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR had been saying state park campgrounds would be closed through at least June 21. Here is a list of all 109 executive orders Michigan Gov.

ANN ARBOR The city of Ann Arbor announced Thursday it will be resuming in-person services at Larcom City Hall on June 8 with new safety protocols. Since the spread of COVID-19 still remains a threat, the city asks that residents continue to conduct city service requests and make payments online. Monetary transactions will be handled at the customer service center on the first floor. The customer service center will resume in-person regular services 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If in-person payments must be made, the city strongly encourages credit card payments only in order to minimize physical contact.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order was lifted Monday after 70 days. She issued the initial restrictions during the early stages of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and adjusted them several times along the way.

ANN ARBOR The Ann Arbor District Library has Tuesday it will begin opening in phases starting on June 15, in accordance with Gov. Heres a timeline the library provided for reopening phases:June 15: Open for returns and pick up of requests filed prior to the closureJune 22: All locations open noon to 8 p.m. daily for scheduled locker or lobby pick up. July: Public computing opens by appointment at the Downtown LibraryMaterials checked out prior to the closure are not due until after July 1. While the Summer Game will go on as planned online and in outside venues, in-person programming will take many months to resume. Everyone at AADL extends our gratitude to you for your patience with the library closure during this sad and difficult time, read a news release.

LANSING, Mich. – More parts of Michigan will reopen “in the upcoming days” as the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to slow, the state’s top health official said. Stay-at-home orderThe state is currently under a stay-at-home order until June 12 and a state of emergency until June 19. The stay-at-home order continued the closure of public places such as theaters, gyms and casinos to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Whitmer first loosened restrictions April 24, when she extended her stay-at-home order through May 15. The governor updated workplace safety rules, requiring reopened health care facilities to adopt strict protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. Retail businesses in Metro Detroit are allowed to reopen to customers on Tuesday amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has sickened thousands across the state. Read more:Michigan Retailers Association spokeswoman Meegan Holland said they are looking at it a little differently. Others, such as Blu Jean Boutique in Royal Oak, will not be opening. She thinks she can have all the PPE she needs in about a week and thats when shell open safely. Auto dealer showrooms also reopenMeanwhile, auto dealer showrooms are reopening across Metro Detroit.

The Michigan economy is getting another boost on Tuesday amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic -- but the change is coming slowly and very cautiously. Gretchen Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order late last week until June 12. READ: Retail reopens in Metro Detroit with uncertainty of coronavirus (COVID-19) changesRetailers are getting back into business but they have strict limitations on how they operate. MORE: Heres everything thats reopening this week across entire state of MichiganMany people are being asked to do a balancing act. Do business, if you need to, or stay home through June 12 to better mitigate the spread of COVID-19.