Gov. Gretchen Whitmer detailed the six phases of her "MI Safe Start" plan after a press conference May 7 that extended her current "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order to May 28.

The "MI Safe Start" plan outlines how the government will reengage Michigan's economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic while simultaneously continuing to keep its communities safe.

"I am working closely with partners in business, labor, and education to determine the best way to move forward each day," Whitmer said. "All of us know the importance of getting people back to work and the economy moving again. We’ve already reopened lower-risk sectors like construction, manufacturing, and lawn care."

While the plan projects a path to safely exit social distancing, the power that enacted it is the subject of a court case that the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate filed yesterday.

The phases of the pandemic according to the "MI Safe Start" plan are:

1. Uncontrolled growth

The plan defined this as an increasing number of new cases every day that are likely to overwhelm the health system with strict rules on social distancing, travel restrictions, face coverings, hygiene best practices and remote work. Critical infrastructure continues, which includes first responders, health care workers, critical manufacturing, food and agriculture, essential retail (e.g. grocery) and transportation.

2. Persistent spread

Whitmer's plan defined this as a continuance of high case levels and high concern about health system capacity. Phase two has the same type of safety actions and policies as phase one.

3. Flattening