SE Grand Rapids News

Rep. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) said easing restrictions to Michigan’s stay-at-home order recently enacted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are the right thing to do, but he called on her to ease more restrictions so the state can get back to normal.

“I am glad Gov. Whitmer has heard our concerns and is finally relaxing some of the restrictions constituents have reached out to me about,” Albert said on Michigan House Republicans. “There’s still a lot more she must do to restore personal liberties. We can have policies in place to protect the health of our residents while exercising common sense.”

Albert added that people deserve to resume activities such as construction on their homes, the ability to access "nonessential" medical treatments like hip replacements and the freedom to use golf carts.

“That being said, today was still a step in the right direction,” he said, according to Michigan House Republicans.

Whitmer, in late April, eased restrictions designed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. She permitted certain businesses and public recreational activities to resume, including fishing, motorized boating and golfing.

Big-box stores will be allowed to reopen formerly closed areas like garden centers, paint and carpet retail sections. Landscapers, lawn-service companies, plant nurseries and bike repair shops can reopen for business, as long as social-distancing rules are observed.  

Stores selling nonessential goods must remain closed to in-person shopping but can now fulfill orders for curbside pickup or deliveries.

The revised order permits residents to travel to a second home, if they have one, which was prohibited under the previous orders.

Whitmer faced criticism from some residents and conservative state lawmakers who felt that her previous stay-at-home order was excessive. Protesters gathered at the state capitol, and President Donald Trump derided Whitmer’s handling of the crisis, Tweeting, "LIBERATE MICHIGAN."

Michigan has been one of the states impacted most by the coronavirus. As of May 16, almost 5,000 residents have died from the virus, according to Michigan.gov, a figure topped only by New York and New Jersey.

Albert said he joined his colleagues in the Legislature to create a bipartisan oversight committee to review new and existing orders issued by Whitmer during the coronavirus outbreak and to help address issues that arise due to their implementation.

“The Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic will include five legislators each from the House and the Senate,” Albert said, according to Michigan House Republicans. “Its existence will better protect people and maintain key foundations of state government -- checks and balances, involvement of the Legislature and its role as a conduit to the people it represents.”

Albert added that the creation of the committee will provide much-needed transparency and accountability to the decisions made during the COVID-19 response. “It will give the Legislature an avenue to hold state government to higher standards for its actions and choices during this public health crisis,” he told Michigan House Republicans.