Monthly Archives: May 2020

(May 28, 2020 10:09 AM) Secretary of State branch offices will reopen June 1 by appointment only for essential transactions not available online in order to continue to balance the need to provide critical services and protect public health. “While the offices were closed to the public we conducted more than 3,000 emergency appointments for essential workers and planned and implemented protocols so that we could reopen in a way that ensures the safety of employees and all Michiganders,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Customers can be confident they’ll be able to conduct their business with us safely and efficiently.”  Beginning the week of June 1, all 131 branch offices in Michigan will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for appointment only services for transactions including:   Driver licenses and state ID transactions that must be done in person Title transfers Operator, CDL, chauffeur, mechanic and motorcycle testing Seasonal commercial vehicle renewal  Branch staff will follow strict health and safety protocols, including wearing masks, standing six feet apart, using desk shields, and continuously disinfecting shared or common surfaces. Branch doors will be locked, and each branch will have a greeter to let customers with appointments…

(May 28, 2020 9:45 AM) Deadlines are fast approaching for people who lost their health insurance due to layoffs, reduced hours, or a change in income during the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of low or no-cost health care options available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Consumers in these situations must sign up for health insurance within 60 days, which is coming soon for people who were impacted in the early weeks of the COVID-19 response. “Ensuring Michiganders have access to health care coverage is critical as we continue our ongoing response to COVID-19,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Resources are available for Michiganders who have been financially impacted during this crisis, and I encourage them to explore these options for their health and the health of their families.” Michigan has been battling COVID-19 since its first cases were identified in early March, and layoffs have been announced by impacted businesses throughout the following months. Consumers have 60 days after losing health coverage as a result of a job loss or a change in income, to take advantage of a Special Enrollment Period to either temporarily continue their employer-provided coverage under COBRA or purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Consumers may wish to…

(May 27, 2020 4:09 PM) Michigan State University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. announced the University’s intention to resume in-person campus classes this fall.  In a letter to the University community, Dr. Stanley said the decision was based on guidance from health care professionals, feedback from faculty, staff and students as well as MSU leadership and recommendations from the university’s COVID-19 Reopening Campus Task Force. In March, MSU suspended nearly all in-person operations at MSU, including research and face-to-face instruction. Since then, the university has taken several steps to enhance overall safety, including increased cleaning standards, establishing a strong supply chain for appropriate amounts of personal protection equipment and partnering with local health care facilities in preparation for an outbreak. In the letter, Dr. Stanley announces the  Reopening Campus webpage with more details on how the campus will operate in the fall.  The letter describes alterations to the academic calendar, approaches to contact tracing and testing, managing residence halls, and allocating and scheduling our class spaces.  The campus will remain closed at least through June 12 when the latest Stay at Home Executive Order is due to expire. Although exemptions are being announced and the shelter order may lift in…