With COVID-19 restrictions expiring Tuesday in Michigan, businesses are feeling the crunch to hire more workers.

Monday is the last day that COVID-19 capacity limits and masking requirements will be in effect in Michigan, about 15 months after the first restrictions were put in place.

Michigan’s COVID positivity rate over the last seven days is less than 2%, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called the current case data very good in a stop in Grand Rapids on Wednesday.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has laid out a two-step process to reopen the state.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services expanded mask requirements to include children ages 2-4 years old.

Michigan has extended the COVID-19 order that implemented restrictions on gatherings, restaurants, entertainment venues and more.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office is looking into requests to investigate the state’s COVID-19 nursing home policies. Whitmer announces nursing home visitation to resume in MichiganOnly eight representatives left their names off the letter, including House Speaker Jason Wentworth. Another 11 republicans signed onto the campaign to impeach Whitmer or force her to resign over the policy. READ: Michigan lawmakers hold hearing, seek answers about nursing home deaths amid pandemicThe centers for Medicaid, Medicare and the AARP have been calling for Whitmer to release all the state data on nursing home deaths. READ: Tracking COVID-19 cases, deaths in Michigan long term care facilities, nursing homes

“Today (Tuesday), we are announcing that restaurants and bars can operate at 50% capacity. READ: Michigan loosens COVID restrictions on restaurants -- here are all the detailsAdWhile some restaurants and bars welcome the news, some say it isn’t worth it. As things stand, this is about restaurants like Red Coat and how much they can handle. He decided the 50% capacity is still too risky and he won’t open for sit-down service yet. READ: New bill would allow Michigan bars to stay open until 4 a.m.READ: Here are the 14 changes to Michigan’s COVID rules: Restaurants, gyms, stadiums, retail, gatherings

LANSING, Mich. – Tuesday’s announcement that Michigan restaurants are able to increase their indoor dining capacity comes as good news for establishments that have now had to deal with two shutdowns since the pandemic started. “Today (Tuesday), we are announcing that restaurants and bars can operate at 50% capacity. READ: Michigan loosens COVID restrictions on restaurants -- here are all the detailsAd“It’s encouraging, it’s very encouraging,” said Nikola’s BBQ manager, Velko Milosevich. “I’m just hopeful by summer, things will return to normal. The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association issued a statement on the updated restriction:

LANSING, Mich. – Over the past seven weeks, there’s been a decline in key metrics determining where we are with the pandemic. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Tuesday that visitation at nursing homes will resume. READ: 12 takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID briefing: Michigan restrictions loosenedAd“Under the new guidelines, family members will be able to go and visit their relatives in nursing homes after receiving a negative COVID-19 test,” Whitmer added. “We want people to be able to visit their family in the nursing homes, and we know that our businesses are doing their part to make their establishments as safe as they can,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. So far the state of Michigan has vaccinated more than 2 million residents.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The historic Michigan Theater and State Theatre are taking it slow when it comes to reopening. On Thursday, the Michigan Theater Foundation (MTF), which operates both of the downtown Ann Arbor independent theaters, announced that neither theater would fully reopen until April. According to the Michigan Theater’s reopening plan:“The MTF received permission from the State of Michigan to reopen the historic Michigan and State theaters in downtown Ann Arbor on December 21, 2020. For reasons of safety, the MTF team made the conscious decision to delay a full public reopening for three reasons:The rise in the infection rate after the Christmas/New Year holiday. Virtual events and Michigan Theater concessions are also available.

CALUMET, Mich. – A judge has ordered the shutdown of a cafe in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where customers have been supporting an owner who has defiantly served indoor diners despite coronavirus restrictions. Gretchen Whitmer's administration got a restraining order against Cafe Rosetta in Calumet, a small town in Houghton County. Kristi Painter, a state food scientist, visited the cafe for an undercover exam and observed a busy place with 17 people eating or drinking. Cafe co-owner Amy Heikkinen, a mother of six, said she can't afford to limit her business to carry-out orders. You can’t make me not work.”The restraining order was to be served by Thursday.

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – One man in Macomb County is using Facebook Live to promote restaurants amid the coronavirus pandemic. And we all have the responsibility to do whatever it takes in times like this to help each other, especially during Christmastime,” said Tom Sokol. By Day, Sokol is a family man and works in insurance. By night, he hits the streets in Macomb and Shelby townships to highlight small family-owned restaurants struggling with no indoor dining due to Michigan’s COVID-19 restrictions. READ: Michigan restaurants offering new options for last-minute holiday gifts“They’re struggling with overhead.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Senate is considering Concurrent Resolution 36, which would form a joint committee of the Legislature acting between sessions to suspend rules or regulations administered by state administrative agencies. Under the resolution, the Legislature could call a joint committee after the current session -- ends Dec. 18 -- through Jan. 13. Whitmer’s COVID-19 briefingREAD: Whitmer says Michigan’s increased COVID-19 restrictions are working: ‘We are making progress’The Michigan Constitution gives the committee the power to suspend rules and regulations, such as new COVID-19 orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). It would only apply to any new orders agencies would submit during the time the entire Legislature was out of session. Several people gathered outside the home of Robert Gordon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), on Dec. 15 to protest the state’s current COVID restrictions.

WARREN, Mich. – The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) issued an emergency suspension of liquor license and permits for Andiamo’s Warren restaurant on East 14 Mile Road in violation of Michigan’s current COVID-19 restrictions. According to the MLCC on Tuesday, the suspension was issued on Dec. 10 for L.V. READ MORE:According to the suspension report, on Dec. 4, MLCC’s Enforcement Division were investigating a complaint they received about the licensee allowing indoor gathering in November. The report stated when investigators went to the location on Dec. 4 to investigate, they noticed a seating chart listing 62 guests with table assignments. The report stated that while tables were properly spaced, “the guests were not socially distanced at the tables or when mingling around the ballroom.

Whitmer was joined by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. Earlier this week: Michigan extends COVID-19 restrictions for 12 days to gauge Thanksgiving impactOn Thursday. New COVID-19 cases are slowing but deaths continue to rise in Michigan. More: How to track Michigan COVID-19 dataCoronavirus trends in Michigan are beginning to show signs of improvement in early December following a recent influx of COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths, according to health experts. COVID-19 cases in Michigan have been on the rise since September, with virus hospitalizations and deaths steadily increasing since October.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a COVID-19 news briefing on Thursday afternoon. Earlier this week: Michigan extends COVID-19 restrictions for 12 days to gauge Thanksgiving impactNew COVID-19 cases are slowing but deaths continue to rise in Michigan. More: How to track Michigan COVID-19 dataCoronavirus trends in Michigan are beginning to show signs of improvement in early December following a recent influx of COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths, according to health experts. COVID-19 cases in Michigan have been on the rise since September, with virus hospitalizations and deaths steadily increasing since October.

DETROIT – Michigan has extended its three-week COVID restrictions for 12 additional days to gauge the impact of Thanksgiving -- an order that will keep dine-in service closed for restaurants and bars heading into the holiday season. Next in line will be entertainment venues where people can maintain consistent masking, such as casinos, theaters and bowling, with concessions closed. On Monday, Michigan health officials released a series of studies, which they have used to justify the decision to halt indoor dining. More: Michigan health officials release studies used to determine COVID-19 restrictionsThe Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association released a statement on Monday, saying:“We aren’t surprised by the governor’s decision to extend Director Gordon’s MDHHS Order today, but we remain exceptionally disappointed. Whitmer had previously been issuing restrictions without the approval of the Republican-led Legislature, but now the orders fall to MDHHS.

DETROIT – Michigan has extended its three-week COVID restrictions for 12 additional days to gauge the impact of Thanksgiving -- but health officials are hoping to slowly reopen at the end of the extension. More: Michigan COVID restrictions extended through Dec. 20: What to knowWhile the order has been extended, MDHHS said they have a plan in place to slowly reopen at the end of the 12 day extension, and named three key metrics they would need to see improvements in. With improvements in these areas, MDHHS will slowly re-engage some areas, with in-person learning at high schools first. “If we don’t, the disease will continue to spread and people will continue to get sick and die.”Related: Michigan Gov. More: How to track Michigan COVID-19 dataMDHHS ordersMDHHS has the authority to issue these orders during the pandemic, and has been doing so since the Michigan Supreme Court struck down the law Whitmer was using to issue her executive orders.

LANSING, Mich. – On Monday, Michigan health officials released a series of studies, which they have used to justify the decision to halt indoor dining, close entertainment venues and call a timeout on organized sports, as well as the 12-day extension. “This may be the most difficult time in our whole struggle with COVID-19 since March, especially with the holidays approaching,” Gov. For weeks, restaurant owners and lawmakers have asked the governor to be more transparent about the science behind the orders. Experts are hoping hospitalizations decline and want cases and the positivity rate to drop before lifting the restrictions. People are still coming into ERs even weeks after they have been diagnosed,” Khaldun said.

DETROIT – Michigan health officials announced an extension of COVID-19 restrictions in the state as deaths continue to rise and the state’s test positivity rate remains high. Whitmer said MDHHS will extend the three-week pause for 12 days. MDHHS said the additional 12 days will allow the department to determine the full impact of the Thanksgiving holiday on the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan. More: How to track Michigan COVID-19 dataMDHHS ordersMDHHS has the authority to issue these orders during the pandemic, and has been doing so since the Michigan Supreme Court struck down the law Whitmer was using to issue her executive orders. Whitmer had previously been issuing restrictions without the approval of the Republican-led Legislature, but now the orders fall to MDHHS.

Gretchen Whitmer will hold a COVID-19 news briefing on Monday afternoon as the current COVID restrictions in the state are set to expire on Wednesday. UPDATE: Michigan extends COVID-19 restrictions for 12 days to gauge Thanksgiving impactWhitmer will be joined by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. More: 3 data points that show Michigan’s 3-week pause is likely to be extendedOn Monday morning, Michigan hospitals and health systems issued a statement urging the state to extend COVID-19 restrictions through the holiday season. We still don’t know what impact Thanksgiving will have, but we do know that with the recent pause, we’re seeing some slight improvements. As a state, we must not let our guard down and reverse this progress.”More: How to track Michigan COVID-19 data

Key Michigan COVID-19 data points show the state’s “three-week pause” is likely to be extended before it ends this week. But looking at the current COVID-19 data, it appears likely that restrictions will be extended in some form. Looking at data during the pause, total hospitalizations have increased from 3,772 to 4,113, and inpatients on ventilators increased from 396 to 513. The 7-day average for new daily cases has leveled off for the most part -- for now -- but they haven’t really decreased. Michigan 7-day moving case average.

ROSEVILLE, Mich. – When the new COVID-19 restrictions were announced over the weekend, Dooley’s in Roseville announced they were hosting one final party ahead of the shutdown. Under the new three-week restriction, indoor dining is no longer allowed at bars and restaurants. Local 4′s Tim Pamplin stopped by to see how the city was trying to keep everything safe. The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System said Macomb County is a “pocket” of Michigan that struggles with COVID-19 mask compliance. Wright Lassiter spoke about the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols during a virtual panel conversation among Michigan hospital leaders.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Theater and State Theatre are temporarily closing their doors, again. The restrictions will result in the temporary closing of several types of businesses, including theaters, for three weeks between Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Tuesday, Dec. 8. On Monday, The Michigan Theater Foundation informed fans through an email that its two independent theaters would be closing ahead of the mandated dates and that screenings scheduled for Tuesday were canceled. The email states that the theaters will continue with their collective Virtual Movie Palace and virtual events, including Virtual Movie Trivia. The Michigan Theater and State Theatre reopened in early October with limited screenings, reduced seating and concessions restrictions after being closed for over six months.

DETROIT – The newly announced set of COVID-19 restrictions is yet another devastating blow for the movie theater industry. Some movie theater owners are questioning if closing the doors to the big screen is necessary. “We have been applying protocols and safety procedures, we’ve been insisting that our guests wear masks or we have every CDC protocol in place,” Glantz said. READ: Michigan health director explains need for expanded COVID-19 restrictionsREAD: Can Michigan restaurants survive new COVID-19 restrictions? I’m concerned about our ability to continue to weather a period of time when we have no revenue,” he said.

On Saturday, Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths, bringing the state totals up to 251,813 cases and 7,994 deaths since the start of the pandemic. France and Germany, for instance, both announced partial lockdowns at the end of October, both lasting through the month of November. Early results show positive signsIt’s been more than two weeks since partial lockdown measures were put in place in France and Germany, and in both countries, the growth of cases appears to be flattening. Not an exact comparisonThere are some obvious differences between Michigan and Germany, France. Additionally, Germany and France have put in measures to offset income loss for individuals and businesses impacted by the partial lockdowns.