Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to extend stay-home order as state furloughs workers

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday she likely will extend her stay-at-home order beyond April 30 even if she relaxes restrictions to reopen parts of the economy.

She said she was hoping to talk more Friday about loosening the rules for businesses that have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. She said there likely will be a “short-term” extension of the stay-home order.

Also Wednesday, Whitmer’s administration notified state employees of temporary layoffs necessitated by a drop in tax revenues due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The state will furlough 2,900, or less than 1%, of the 48,000-person workforce for two weeks to save about $5 million. Whitmer’s administration will then reassess whether further days are necessary, said Tiffany Brown, spokeswoman for Whitmer.

“This is a difficult decision, but it is the right thing to do to ensure we can continue providing critical services to the people of Michigan,” she said.

The affected employees will keep their health insurance and other benefits, and will be automatically enrolled for unemployment.

Earlier this month, the state began paying an extra $375 a week to roughly 14,000 front-line employees such as prison guards, state troopers, child-welfare caseworkers and people who work in veterans homes.