A sign showing that businesses are open despite recent COVID-19 outbreaks in downtown East Lansing is pictured Jun. 30, 2020.
As indoor dining prepares to be reopened across the state, the state government has placed several enforcements to retain public health, such as strict masking and social distancing guidelines. Now, they are asking that restaurants inspect and improve ventilation systems.
The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) sent out a press release, detailing the MI COVID-19 Safer Dining Program, a voluntary program in which businesses have their ventilation systems inspected by a licensed HVAC professional, in order to improve circulation within the workplace and reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.
The program will also help patrons make safer choices, as restaurants that participate in the program will receive a certificate which they can post to verify their participation.
In the release, COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan said that the program will compliment other state efforts in workplace safety and encouraged mitigation strategies.
“We remain committed to helping businesses implement processes and techniques to maximize safety through layered mitigation strategies, and this program is another opportunity for businesses to do just that,” Egan said.
Businesses can take the first step to participate by visiting Michigan.gov/COVIDSaferDining to download the participation forms. The website also offers information on safe dining and new guidelines set forth in the recent executive order, allowing indoor dining to resume.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed funding to support the Safer Dining Program through a $10 million supplemental budget request for restaurant support through MIOSHA.
