The State of Michigan is allowing some plants back online today, even as it orders residents to remain at home to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Michigan relies in large part on manufacturing. But most plants have been closed since March because of the pandemic.
Business leaders are pressing Governor Gretchen Whitmer to re-start factories.
But Whitmer says re-opening the state’s economy is more like turning a dial than flipping a switch.
She’s mandating that manufacturers adhere to strict safety protocols, including staggering work shifts, screening employees for infections and creating sufficient space between them in their job areas.
It remains to be seen whether workers will feel safe enough to return to their jobs.
Parts suppliers say they want to gear-up production to feed automakers…who are expected to re-start their facilities next week.
