(WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the state's plan to loosen restrictions based on vaccination rates.
RELATED: COVID-19 restrictions will lift in Michigan based on vaccination rates, state announces
According to the announcement, some restrictions will be lifted when more than half of Michiganders have had at least their first dose. The state has a goal to get 70% of the population vaccinated to near herd immunity.
Whitmer said the state plans to have checkpoints along the way that will allow the gradual lifting of restrictions. The state will also release a revised epidemic order based on new recommendations from the CDC announced earlier this week on outdoor gatherings.
Although Whitmer said she cannot predict with certainty when the state will hit 70%, she said being able to have a "normal" Fourth of July celebration this year is a "very realistic goal."
The number of new COVID-19 cases slows down after a massive surge that saw Michigan leading the country in infections. As of Wednesday, there have been 833,891 total cases of COVID-19 and 17,467 people who have died from the virus.
As of Wednesday, nearly 3 million Michiganders 16 and up are fully vaccinated, about 36% of the state's population age 16 and up.
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