Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged Michigan restaurant and bar owners not to defy the State Health Department orders after the state reported 160 deaths in one day from Covid-19.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services added 190 deaths to the toll from the global pandemic, 30 of which came from previous days. The 160 deaths over a 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. Tuesday is the highest daily death toll from COVID-19 since 189 deaths were recorded on April 25. The daily record of 232 deaths was set on April 21, according to state records.

The Governor discourages people from willfully breaking the law. She said there has been no decision made about extending the pause on dining inside which expires December 8. The Governor has asked lawmakers for $100 million to fund a state level program to aid businesses suffering from this pandemic, which includes the hospitality industry.

Whitmer's administration has already started to crack down on establishments that have been open since the second shutdown started. Some establishments have already been closed by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. Licenses have been suspended for Jimmys Roadhouse in Newaygo, Brew Works in Fremont, and the Meeting Place in Fenton for violations of the epidemic orders.

The Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association has sued over the shutdown order in federal court. Currently in the United States a person dies every minute from Covid-19. As of Monday, our positivity rate on Covid tests was 14.7 percent, the biggest number since April according to state data. The statewide patient count for Covid positive patients is about 5% higher than it was a week ago. Follow the CDC guidelines, wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands often.

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