Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the COVID delta variant won’t return Michigan to statewide mask mandates or business closures.

DETROIT – Small Business Saturday is here and the stakes are higher than ever for local businesses in the pandemic. He’s gearing up for small business Saturday, but he knows this year things will be different. “Sales online are higher than normal.”“More than 40% of Black Small Businesses shutdown this year due to COVID-19,” said Marketing Manager Racheal Hawk with Facebook. “Knowing that, we felt compelled to help.”That’s why they started the Buy Black Friday Campaign, which urges people to ‘Buy Black’ and ‘Buy Small’ every Friday in November, but they’re extending that initiative to Small Business Saturday. It’s been a tough year for local businesses, so let’s rally together to #SupportLocal this holiday season.

LANSING, Mich. – State leaders are asking Michigan residents to beat lines and avoid crowds by shopping at local small businesses on Black Friday. One in five jobs in Michigan are in the retail industry, according to the Michigan Retailers Association. Gretchen Whitmer has been encouraging residents to support local and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. “Now more than ever, small businesses in Pure Michigan need your support. It's about making small choices to support the local businesses that support your community, Lorenz said about the “Support Local" campaign.

LANSING, Mich. – Officials are reminding Michigan residents that they shouldn’t panic buy products like toilet paper, paper towel and other items. “Michigan has an ample supply of food products and other items. But, when shoppers panic buy products like toilet paper, paper towel and other items, it creates a ripple effect within the supply chain,” said McDowell. Consumers should plan for essentials in weekly increments to ensure that supply levels remain steady over the next few weeks. READ: Metro Detroit grocery stores face second wave of supply demand amid COVID-19 pandemic

Executive Order 2020-147 reiterates that individuals are required to wear a face covering whenever they are in an indoor public space. July 11, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 68,948; Death toll now at 6,067As store and restaurant owners grapple with enforcing the new order on masks, the states largest association of retailers is criticizing the order and hoping Gov. The Michigan Retailers Association came out strongly against the order requiring businesses to enforce the mask requirements. Spokesperson Meegan Holland said the MRA had been working with Whitmers officer in hopes of a more strict mask order that would involve law enforcement. Part of the problem is that sales associates arent trained to do this kind of enforcement, Holland said.

The Michigan Retailers Association is telling shoppers to mask up while shopping to abide by Gov. While retailers and retail employees appreciate Gov. This puts retail employees in potentially dangerous situations when theyre forced to confront unmasked customers. We worry for retail employees safety and disagree with the overly aggressive penalties for retailers. When shopping, please wear a mask and understand that retailers are not to blame for the states mask requirement.