Michigan State Governor signs new emergency declaration after GOP legislature declares "mission accomplished"

U.S. Michigan State Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new emergency declaration on Thursday that will last through May 28 after the Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature refused to extend the current emergency and disaster declaration that was set to expire at midnight.

"Today I signed new emergency and disaster declarations using independent sources of statutory authority to make sure our health care workers and first responders have the tools they need to save lives and protect Michiganders," said Whitmer. "We're all in this together. Defeating COVID-19 is an all hands on deck moment for our state, and I remain hopeful that Republicans in the legislature will stop the partisan games and start working with me to re-engage our economy safely and responsibly."

There have been 41,379 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state of Michigan, and 3,789 people have died.

Whitmer's decision came as half of all the U.S. states have started easing coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, retail and other businesses shuttered by the outbreak.