(LANSING) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has once again extended Michigan's State of Emergency.

On Tuesday, Whitmer extended the State of Emergency until 11:59 PM on October 27. Under Executive Order 2020-186, the State will be allowed to continue mobilizing resources and take the reasonable and necessary steps to protect Michiganders and their families.

Whitmer says they have saved thousands of lives in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the most vulnerable populations. She says because the State took swift action, the health of Michigan families and the State's economy are faring better that neighboring states.

However, Whitmer says Michigan is not out of the woods yet. She says we must continue to do our part to fight the virus on behalf of our families, frontline workers and small businesses.

In addition, Whitmer also extended four other Executive Orders on Tuesday. Executive Order 2020-187 is extended through October 21, and allows businesses to be conducted remotely through expanded use of e-notaries and e-signatures.

Executive Order 2020-188 will extend the limited and temporary restrictions on the entry of individuals into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities and juvenile facilities.

Executive Order 2020-189 will extend through October 31 protections for prison and jail populations through enhanced cleaning protocols and implementation of testing protocols by by the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Executive Order 2020-190 adds protections for workers and customers at food selling establishments to the Workplace Safeguards order, including the requirement to maintain two hours a week of reserved shopping time for vulnerable populations.