(LANSING) – Gyms and pools will be allowed to open in Michigan in regions where they previously had been closed.

On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-176, which allows gyms and pools in Regions 1-5 and Region 7 to open back up, starting Wednesday, September 9. That order also allowed for organized sports practices and competitions to resume. In addition, Whitmer also signed Executive Order 2020-175, outlining strict workplace safety measures that gyms and pools must follow to protect people from the spread of COVID-19.

Under the Executive Order, gyms must require the wearing of masks at all times, including times of exercise. They must also configure workout stations or implement protocols to enable six feet of distance between individuals during exercise sessions and reduce class sizes to enable at least six feet of separation between individuals.

In addition, they must provide equipment cleaning products throughout the gym.

Whitmer urges everyone who plans to hit the gym and the pools to take the necessary steps and to do everything in their power to protect themselves and their families.

With the announcement that the Governor was allowing for organized sports to resume in those regions, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released guidelines. They recommend against contact sports at this time. They also recommend measures sports teams may take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 during training, practices and competitions. The measures include frequent hand washing, not letting players share towels or clothing and ensuring proper cleaning and disinfection of objects and equipment.

The Executive Order also addressed how many people could attend. For indoor sporting events, such as volleyball and girls swimming and diving, spectators are limited to the guests of the athletes with each athlete designating up to two guests. For outdoor sports, such as football and boys soccer, the organizer must either limit the audience to two guests as designated by the athletes or limit total attendance to 100 people or fewer.

That would include all participants including athletes, coaches and staff.