Michigan Gyms Must Remain Closed: Appeals Court

MICHIGAN — Gyms throughout Michigan were expected to reopen Thursday after being closed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic despite appeals by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to keep them temporarily closed. But after a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday, Michigan gyms must remain closed a little longer.

"We sympathize deeply with the business owners and their patrons affected by the Governor’s Order," the order states. "Crises like COVID-19 can call for quick, decisive measures to save lives. Yet those measures can have extreme costs—costs that often are not borne evenly. The decision to impose those costs rests with the political branches of government, in this case, Governor Whitmer."

The governor's office issued a statement late Wednesday saying the judges "got it right" with their decision.

“In the fight against a global pandemic, courts must give governors broad latitude to make quick, difficult decisions," the statement said. "The governor will continue to take the actions necessary to save lives.”

On Friday, a federal judge ruled that indoor gyms in Michigan could reopen following a lawsuit filed by a group of independent gyms. Whitmer appealed that ruling, but her appeal was rejected by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney.

Under the order as it stood early on Wednesday, Michigan gyms were able to reopen at midnight Thursday. No date has been provided regarding when gyms will be able to reopen.

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Wednesday's ruling by the court of appeals comes after Michigan saw a spike in new coronavirus cases. The state reported more than 300 cases for the first time since June 3, and reported its highest number of new cases since late May.