Memorial Day coronavirus regulations in Michigan and Indiana

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Memorial weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, but the coronavirus pandemic will change the way people spend the holiday this year. 

In Indiana, social gatherings of up to 100 people are now allowed. For locations with multiple, separate areas, up to 100 people can gather in each section. The state does ask that you maintain six feet of distance and have sanitizers on hand.

“The way we’re viewing it is unless you’re inside a facility or say even inside the pavilion that we’re in now, we would adhere to those gathering numbers,” said Jeremy Kenitz, Michigan City Parks and Recreation superintendent. “But out in open space, open park, whether it’s green space or on the beach, those numbers don’t necessarily apply. However, large groups and gatherings are of particular concern to us. We are having extra personnel out here from the police department and our own staff to try to continue to spread that word.”

You can also go camping, play on recreational fields like soccer or baseball and on tennis courts in Indiana.

State park inns are also now open and restaurants remain open with restrictions, while retail stores can expand to 75 percent capacity.

In Michigan, Governor Whitmer announced that the state’s stay-at-home order would be extended to June 12 – but, groups of 10 or less may now gather.

Parks and beaches remain open, however many are limiting their capacity on Monday to maintain social distancing, including Silver Beach in St. Joseph.

“We’re hoping people will be courteous and follow the guidance that’s out there, for their safety and other people’s safety. So we’ll monitor the best we can, and between the deputy and the park rangers we’ll ask people to use their social distancing with one another,” said Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey, “But we will close the beach once it starts – once the parking lot gets half full – we will shut the gates. And the park rangers will probably be telling people to try and find a different location because there’s too many people on the beach.”

Restaurants remain closed for dine-in services while retail stores also remain closed statewide, with the exception of the upper peninsula and the Traverse City region – those opened with restrictions Friday, as they moved to phase four.

As for the rest of Michigan, the governor’s plan says in order to move to phase four these areas must show that cases, hospitalizations and deaths are clearly declining.