Mackinac Island Will Not Open For Memorial Day Weekend
For anyone considering heading to one of Michigan's top tourist destinations this holiday weekend-- Mackinac Island remains closed.
MLive reports that Mackinac Island city officials, citing health and safety concerns, have decided to stick to their plan of opening gradually starting May 29, once the stay-at-home order ends.
Mackinac is not encouraging visitors and the ferry will not be running to the island Saturday and Sunday. Residents of the island are also encouraged to stay home.
On Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did announce that announced that retail businesses and bars and restaurants in northern Michigan are able to reopen beginning Friday, May 22.
According to MLive, in an online Mackinac Island City Council meeting, city leaders made the decision to stay with the May 29 gradual re-opening plan:
They believe it will be safer from a health standpoint for residents and guests alike in this coronavirus era. It will give city staff the time needed to address issues like public bathrooms, social distancing guidelines and infrastructure updates.
Since mid-March, when the stay-at-home order was put in place, Mackinac Island has only been open to residents and essential workers. Recently, construction projects have been allowed to resume, as they have elsewhere in Michigan.
The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau shared the following statement:
While we are thrilled to see the Michigan economy starting to reopen, which is a very positive sign for Mackinac Island’s 2020 season, we are first and foremost committed to welcoming visitors to the island the right way and at the right time. Our priority is the health of our residents, workers and guests. The success of the island’s tourism season is dependent on making proper preparations, training staff for new protocols and the like. For those reasons and in accordance with the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, Mackinac Island businesses will not be open to visitors for Memorial Day weekend, and ferries will not be running. Island businesses that choose to open prior to May 29 will do so to serve the island’s workers and residents.
Check back here for the latest information on event schedules and businesses re-opening dates on Mackinac Island.