More than a year and a half after the U.S. to closed its borders to international travelers, restrictions are shifting to focus on COVID-19 vaccine status.

As it struggles to emerge from COVID restrictions, Boodles Restaurant in Madison Heights is one of many on 11 Mile Road that have been devastated by the Interstate 75 construction.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference Tuesday afternoon as the state lifts nearly all COVID-19 restrictions after more than 15 months.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is set to hold a briefing today as the state of Michigan reopens to full capacity and drops its COVID-19 mask and gathering restrictions.

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.

One community activist with the Thousands Strong organization is hoping that Detroiters take a step back and think before they act.

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

Statewide eased COVID-19 restrictions are being welcomed by Metro Detroit businesses.

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.

As the state slowly returns to normal, a lot still hangs in the balance for us to reach “herd immunity,” and with so many people out enjoying the nice weather, the hope is that most of the maskless folks out and about are vaccinated.

The city of Detroit has made a massive effort to get its residents vaccinated.

The curfew on Michigan restaurants and bars will be lifted during the first step of the state’s new plan for fully reopening.

After months of going back and forth, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders have come to an agreement on some COVID rules and the budget.

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

During her COVID briefing, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed the new schedule Michigan will follow to fully reopen, talked about restaurant rules and announced changes to the mask policy.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially revealed Michigan’s new schedule for eliminating COVID restrictions and returning to normal.

Michigan has updated its COVID-19 rules for gatherings, mask wearing, certain events and organized sports.

“We can all throw some burgers on the grill, catch a Tigers game and hit the lake with our friends. We can enjoy our Michigan summer,” said Willpower Fitness Group owner William McCray. “I’m happy, I’m ecstatic and I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

Michigan restaurants have been put through the ringer throughout the pandemic. The industry as a whole has seen the rules change multiple times over the past year and that’s made for a lot of anxiety, frustration and sometimes animosity. After Thursday’s announcement, there was a new, more hopeful tone.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Thursday on COVID-19 in Michigan, discussing a new plan to lift restrictions based on how many people get vaccinated.

Michigan is going to lift specific COVID-19 restrictions when the state hits certain vaccination thresholds. Here’s a list of the rules that will be loosened when each goal is reached.

Michigan is outlining four specific vaccination goals that, once they are reached, will directly trigger the loosening of certain COVID-19 restrictions across the state, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed.

In a 6-1 vote, the Grosse Pointe Public Schools Board adopted new COVID-19 protocols which brought out a divided community to Monday night’s board meeting.

The Biden Administration announced Friday a massive investment in the fight against COVID-19 variants.

It’s been an extremely busy week for COVID-related topics in Michigan, from debates about another shutdown to quickly filling hospitals to six more months of workplace restrictions.

Michigan’s COVID-19 metrics have the state’s top health official “incredibly concerned,” with some numbers five times higher than they were two months ago.

When asked why Michigan has such a high number of COVID-19 cases despite all the previous shutdowns and restrictions, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she believes the state’s success at fighting the virus early in the pandemic is actually contributing to the current alarming metrics.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was asked about two of her top aides, including the Michigan health director, going out of state for vacation despite the governor’s administration discouraging anyone from traveling.

Despite COVID-19 cases that are rising at an alarming rate, Michigan officials still aren’t planning to mandate new restrictions. But why is there a reluctance to do so now, considering there have been two shutdowns in the past?

While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer may not be getting the surge of vaccines she asked for from Washington D.C., the state will be ramping up a specific antibody treatment for those who are sick.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a briefing Wednesday to update the COVID-19 situation in Michigan, addressing possible new restrictions, why the state’s numbers are so high, what’s going on with vaccines and much more.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is holding another briefing Wednesday (April 14), and there are plenty of topics to address about COVID-19 in the state.

The director of the CDC said the answer to Michigan’s alarming rise in COVID-19 cases isn’t to “vaccinate our way out” of it, but to “shut things down” like the state did last spring and summer.

The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Michigan -- and other states struggling with increased COVID-19 spread -- to impose restrictions to curb infections.

Thursday was a day of adjustment for Detroit Tigers players and fans.

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.

DETROIT – Nemo’s Bar has been a staple in Detroit’s Corktown since the 60s. The bar and grill is struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Osman is grilling up burgers himself on a small grill behind the bar, which is working for now because of the low capacity. Whitmer said about that possibility“No one’s making any dough. You know, it’s no one’s making any money.

Gretchen Whitmer said the reason Michigan is in a stronger COVID-19 position than many other states is the “pause” that tightened restrictions and created an incremental reopening process. Whitmer was asked about the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association’s plan for expanding indoor dining capacity. Right now, restaurants are limited to 25% capacity and must close by 10 p.m. “Michigan is in a stronger position than most other states in the nation right now,” Whitmer said. She called on the Michigan Legislature to work with her to pass the MI COVID Recovery Plan.

Frustrated that restaurants are still at 25% capacity for indoor dining, the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) released a plan to get restaurants back on stable financial ground that uses COVID positivity rates to determine restaurant density. Michigan’s current COVID positivity rate is just over 3%, which according to the plan from MRLA, would allow for 50% density. MRLA CEO Justin Winslow said restaurants that have reopened under the current 25% rule are doing it primarily to remind customers that they are still open. READ: 11 takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID update: Variant spreading, Michigan vaccinations, relief moneyAdAmato said the restaurant is more than a small business to her. “I think it’s time and this industry is owed some more concrete planning from the administration that can be driven by data.”READ MORE:

Gretchen Whitmer has activated the Michigan National Guard as the state prepares for a protest this weekend at the Capitol. “The Michigan State Police is leading security efforts in coordination with the Michigan National Guard and other public safety agencies,” spokesperson Tiffany Brown said in an email statement. “It’s not to say there is an impending threat, but simply that we are prepared to respond accordingly.”READ: 13 takeaways from Gov. To her knowledge, there aren’t currently any specific threats, Whitmer said. “I can just say we are prepared if something should arise and hopeful that it does not,” she said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan is giving certain businesses, including restaurants, that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic extra time to make tax payments. Restaurants that depend on indoor dining and most entertainment and recreational venues are included in this extension, according to state officials. “Businesses impacted by COVID-19 have made incredible sacrifices to protect their communities, their employees and their customers,” Michigan Gov. On Wednesday, Michigan Whitmer said the state hopes to resume indoor dining at restaurants by Feb. 1, as long as COVID-19 metrics meet state standards. Gordon said indoor dining is inherently risky in terms of spreading COVID-19 because it requires people from different households to remove their masks while indoors.

LANSING, Mich. – Members of law enforcement are coordinating with the Michigan National Guard to make sure they’re prepared to respond to any sign of violence at the state Capitol, Gov. “What we are seeing play out across our country right now is deeply concerning,” Whitmer said. “It’s not to say there is an impending threat, but simply that we are prepared to respond accordingly.”READ: 13 takeaways from Gov. To her knowledge, there aren’t currently any specific threats, Whitmer said. “I can just say we are prepared if something should arise and hopeful that it does not,” she said.

LANSING, Mich. – After announcing that the COVID-19 restrictions in Michigan would be extended through the end of the month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was asked how people can be confident there won’t be another extension. Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that the order, which was set to expire Friday (Jan. 15), has been revised and extended until Jan. 31. LATEST: Michigan extends COVID-19 order through end of January, but permits more physical activities“What is going to change between now and Feb. 1 where people can be confident it’s not going to be extended past that, just yet again?” Whitmer was asked. MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said state officials will keep an eye on the case rate, percent positivity and hospitalizations to determine whether restaurants and other segments of the economy can reopen Feb. 1.

Gretchen Whitmer’s chief operating officer and executive lead on the state’s operational response to containing COVID-19, Tricia Foster, spoke about vaccine distribution in the state. Whitmer’s COVID update Wednesday (Jan. 13)Here are 20 takeaways from Foster’s comments:There are over 1,218 registered providers of the COVID-19 vaccine in Michigan. Every dose of the vaccine that Michigan has received has been delivered to a provider, and that provider has scheduled the dose to be administered, Foster said. “I want to be very clear: The state of Michigan is not sitting on doses of vaccine,” she said. “As soon as we get the supply we need, we’ll begin moving closer to our 50,000 shots per day goal,” Foster said.

LANSING, Mich. – When Michigan’s new COVID-19 order goes into effect this weekend, some additional indoor physical activities will be allowed. Four winter contact sports may also begin indoor practices with non-contact activities, MHSAA announced. Swimming and diving will begin Jan. 22 and gymnastics and bowling will begin Jan. 25. Basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling are considered contact sports and may begin non-contact practices Saturday. These are all crucial for Michigan gyms and fitness centers that have been hit hard by the past year’s shutdowns, restrictions and COVID-19-related membership cancellations.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, at a Jan. 13, 2021, COVID-19 briefing. LANSING, Mich. – After Michigan’s most important COVID-19 metrics improved for several weeks in a row, the state’s latest update came with some good news and some bad news. Whitmer’s COVID update Wednesday (Jan. 13)The case rate has increased recently and “may be plateauing,” Khaldun said. This is the first time since mid-November that both the case rate and positivity rate have risen in the same week, according to the state. Khaldun said Michigan, overall, is in a much better place than it was in early November.

LANSING, Mich. – If Michigan restaurants are allowed to reopen their doors to indoor dining at the beginning of next month, it will be with new and strengthened COVID-19 safety rules, according to state officials. Gretchen Whitmer said the state hopes to resume indoor dining at restaurants by Feb. 1, as long as COVID-19 metrics meet state standards. Whitmer’s COVID update Wednesday (Jan. 13)If they do reopen, restaurants will face increased restrictions, Whitmer said. “We’re working on a path to allow indoor dining at restaurants with safety measures such as mask requirements, capacity limits and a curfew, starting on Feb. 1,” Whitmer said. He said whether or not restaurants actually reopen Feb. 1 will depend on what happens with COVID-19 cases between now and the end of the month.

LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan board will hold a special meeting Thursday to consider authorizing another $58.5 million in COVID-19 relief for small businesses, Gov. The money would help Michigan small businesses keep their lights on, pay employees and, in some cases, prepare to reopen when the time comes, according to the state. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board has a special meeting scheduled for Thursday (Jan. 14) to consider the proposal. “It will also include $3.5 million for the Michigan Stages Survival Grant program working with the Michigan Independent Venue and Promoters Association to administer that program,” the governor said Wednesday. The relief is part of the bipartisan stimulus package signed into law last month to help businesses fighting to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images)LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has announced the release of employee assistance grants for restaurant employees and entertainment and recreational venue workers who have been financially hurt by COVID-19. Gretchen Whitmer said the program includes specific types of workers whose employment was negatively affected by COVID-19. Employees at entertainment and recreational venues, as well as restaurant workers, are included, she said. These employee assistance grants are designed to help offset some of the financial loss for people struggling due to COVID-19. “Please don’t wait to apply for the grant program, which opens up Friday,” Whitmer said.

Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday that she believes $2,000 stimulus checks are “absolutely necessary” for struggling Americans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. “Last month, I called on the federal government to pass a relief bill that included the $2,000 stimulus checks for Americans who are struggling to get by,” Whitmer said. “I still believe that bill is absolutely necessary.”While many Michiganders recently received $600 stimulus checks, some believe that isn’t enough for those in need to get by. Whitmer has long urged legislators to permanently expand unemployment benefits for Michiganders during the pandemic. There’s a 10-day window to apply for the grant: from Jan. 15 through Jan. 25.

Michiganders have started to receive their $300 unemployment payments, the governor says. Gretchen Whitmer confirmed Wednesday that the $300 unemployment payments have begun going out to Michiganders who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is good news for workers across the state who have lost their jobs as a result of this pandemic,” Whitmer said. Whitmer’s COVID update Wednesday (Jan. 13)She said the state started issuing the payments to around 365,000 claimants over the weekend. The Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments run from Dec. 27, 2020, through March 13, 2021.

MDHHS order extendedMichigan has extended the COVID-19 restrictions in Michigan through the end of January, but the order has been revised to allow more forms of physical activity. Indoor diningWhitmer said the state is aiming to resume indoor dining at restaurants in on Feb. 1. Depending on how COVID-19 cases trend in the next two weeks, restaurants might be able to resume indoor dining with certain restrictions. Meijer chosen as COVID-19 vaccine partnerMichigan has chosen Meijer as the initial pharmacy partner to help the state administer the COVID-19 vaccines. She said she has had conversations with Michigan State Police and the Michigan National Guard, as well as local police in Lansing, about security.

Director Robert Gordon, of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, at a Jan. 13, 2021, COVID-19 briefing. LANSING, Mich. – Officials have extended the COVID-19 restrictions in Michigan through the end of January, but the order has been revised to allow more forms of physical activity. The announcement was made Wednesday by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon, along with Gov. Depending on how COVID-19 cases trend in the next two weeks, restaurants might be able to resume indoor dining with certain restrictions. On Tuesday, the state of Michigan reported 1,994 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 100 additional deaths.

Gretchen Whitmer said the state is aiming to resume indoor dining at restaurants in February after a spike in COVID-19 cases late last year sparked a ban of more than two months. Depending on how COVID-19 cases trend in the next two weeks, restaurants might be able to resume indoor dining with certain restrictions. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is once again extending its order that put stricter COVID-19 rules into place throughout the state. By the time restaurants might resume indoor dining Feb. 1, they would have been closed for about 10 and a half weeks. Whitmer, along with Dr. Joneigh Khaldun and Director Robert Gordon, both of MDHHS, has maintained throughout the pause that indoor dining is among the riskiest activities in terms of spreading COVID-19.

Michigan’s current order prohibiting indoor dining service expires this week, but the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association said it has been told the prohibition will be extended to Feb. 1. “We are absolutely upset, but at the same time, let’s hold hard to this Feb. 1 deadline and let’s do it right,” said MLBA President Scott Ellis. Gretchen Whitmer’s Office confirms the Feb. 1 restart date. Details of what dine-in service will look like are not clear yet but there will be caps on density and social distancing will be required. 8 takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID briefing: In-person learning, vaccine distribution, restaurantsWhitmer held her second COVID-19 briefing of the week Friday (Jan. 8) to discuss the future of in-person learning, vaccine distribution and how current trends affect the possibility of reopening restaurants in the state.

“But it doesn’t make any sense because I’m not working now.”Hinkley visited Eastern Market Wednesday to pick up a debit card from the Wayne County Cares Program. “This is kind of what I would call Wayne County stimulus package, since the feds haven’t been able to figure out how to get it done,” said Wayne County executive Warren Evans. The money is being given to 12,000 Wayne County residents whose jobs have been impacted by the pandemic. In addition to the Wayne County Cares program, the county devoted resources to support local small businesses and local nonprofits. More information can be found on the Wayne County Cares official website here.

Michigan restaurants are still fighting to resume indoor dining, which is banned by the state’s COVID-19 order, but Gov. Related stories :Whitmer said she wants to reopen restaurants as soon as she can, but the industry has been on the wrong end of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ restrictions. The owner of Century Bowl, in Waterford Township, said the shutdown order on food and alcohol services at many venues is misguided. Bowling alleys, casinos and other entertainment venues were allowed to reopen Monday, but they can’t serve food or drink concessions. READ: Whitmer commutes sentences for 4 men serving decades in prison for nonviolent crimesPeople aren’t allowed to bowl with anyone other than their families.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s health director says that protesters who gathered outside of his Lansing home on Tuesday night to decry the state’s coronavirus restrictions are wasting their time. Read more: Michigan COVID restrictions in effect through Dec. 20: What to knowMichigan’s extended epidemic order is currently scheduled to expire on Sunday, Dec. 20. In a live, public video posted to Facebook Tuesday, protesters can be heard singing Christmas carols and calling on Gordon to lift the state’s restrictions and reopen businesses. On Wednesday, the state of Michigan reported 4,037 new COVID-19 cases and 83 new deaths since Tuesday. The state has reported a total of 446,752 COVID-19 cases and 11,018 deaths since the pandemic began.

DETROIT – Speaking at a press conference Tuesday Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer noted that statewide COVID restrictions are working and the numbers prove it. But that serves as little comfort to the thousands of Michigan restaurant workers desperate to get back on the job. Whitmer believes the state’s stricter COVID-19 rules, which were extended into next week, are successfully slowing the spread of the virus. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 442,715 as of Tuesday, including 10,935 deaths, state officials report.

Gretchen Whitmer has extended her recent partial shutdown and the push back against them is growing. Perhaps we could take a step back and pause and maybe take a look at what they’re doing right. We have people losing jobs, businesses and homes.”Whitmer has extended COVID-19 restrictions that were set to expire Tuesday for another 12 days. The COVID restrictions will now end December 20 and keep things including indoor dining at restaurants closed. Details: Michigan COVID restrictions extended through Dec. 20: What to knowRead: Michigan extends COVID-19 restrictions for 12 days to gauge Thanksgiving impactRead more: Michigan’s ‘3-week pause’ COVID restrictions in effect: What to know

Gretchen Whitmer extended the statewide COVID restrictions Monday she made it clear that not everything will reopen when they are set to expire on December 20. Now, struggling restaurant owners are staring down the very real chance they will stay closed through the new year. Local 4 News spoke with a Birmingham restaurant owner about his struggle to survive. In a statement released Monday the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association fired back at the partial shutdown. Details: Michigan COVID restrictions extended through Dec. 20: What to knowRead: Michigan extends COVID-19 restrictions for 12 days to gauge Thanksgiving impactRead more: Michigan’s ‘3-week pause’ COVID restrictions in effect: What to knowThe following will remain closed, per the state’s epidemic order:

LANSING, Mich. – Catholic families and schools in the Diocese of Lansing have filed a lawsuit in federal court on Monday challenging the order by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to keep high schools closed for an additional 12 days. “All the evidence shows that during the three months we had in-person education at Lansing Catholic there were no COVID-19 outbreaks; no spread of COVID-19; and no hospitalizations of students or staff, thus adding no burden to our healthcare system,” said Dominic Iocco, president of Lansing Catholic High School. The Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools represents over 400 schools across the state. Meanwhile, Father Gabriel Richard High School, which has 468 students and 47 faculty members, reported 27 cases. “I question everything I do, and if I’m doing it right,” said high school teacher Heather Chase.

In response to rising COVID cases and deaths throughout the U.S., some states are ramping up restrictions to help curb virus spread -- like in California, for instance, where residents are heading into another sweeping lockdown. Update Dec. 7: Michigan COVID restrictions extended through Dec. 20: What to knowUpdate Dec. 7: Michigan hospitals urge state to extend COVID restrictions ‘to see meaningful change’In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a “three-week pause” in November that bans indoor dining at bars and restaurants, in-person learning at high schools and colleges and more through Dec. 8. As of Dec. 6, Michigan is beginning to see a slowing growth rate of daily new COVID-19 cases following a surge in recent weeks -- but virus deaths are still rising across the state. COVID hospitalizations in Michigan have also been steadily increasing since October, including upticks in critical care and ventilator use. We want to know: Are you in favor of extending Michigan’s current coronavirus restrictions beyond Dec. 8?

The owner of Andiamo restaurants in Metro Detroit is backtracking and clarifying his intentions after first penning a letter to Michigan restaurants urging them to defy Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state health department’s COVID-19 shutdown orders and reopen. Here is the statement released Friday:“We are and will always be citizens and stewards of Metro Detroit. We want to encourage hope and action so that Metro Detroit will survive and come out of this united and stronger. Michigan health officials have said it’s extremely difficult to contact trace outbreaks in restaurants because of the short duration a patron may spend inside.

DETROIT – Robert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is the person responsible for implementing the governor’s newly instituted COVID-19 restrictions. Still, Gordon believes there is optimism on the horizon. Gordon believes things are as bad as they were last spring in terms of cases. Our COVID-19 Data section tracks many of the key data points health officials are watching closely every single day. Track key COVID-19 data points in Michigan: