LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan hospitals and physicians have “broad discretion” to decide whether to delay procedures during the pandemic, the state said in new guidance issued in the face of pressure to let providers do more as the curve of coronavirus cases flattens.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive and chief deputy health director, wrote the memo Sunday. It came six weeks after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer restricted all nonessential medical and dental care to ensure that the health care system had enough capacity and equipment to treat COVID-19 patients and to limit the virus’s spread.

The governor’s order remain in effect but “is intended to be flexible, preserve clinician judgment and encourage consideration on an individual basis of which patient services can be safely delayed without resulting in a significant decline in health,” Khaldun said.

In-person contact should be limited as much as possible, she said. But if clinicians determine it is necessary, they should take steps such as asking patients to wait in their cars until their appointments, requiring masks and having separate entrances for healthy and sick patient visits.

Khaldun encouraged providers to prioritize appointments for their most vulnerable patients and to consider allowing visits for immunizations.

“Recognize that procedures or visits that were not time-sensitive several weeks ago may now be, based on clinician judgement,” she wrote.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

Also on Sunday, Whitmer said gun-toting protesters who demonstrated inside the state Capitol in opposition to some of her moves to battle the coronavirus “depicted some of the worst racism” and “awful parts” of U.S. history.

Whitmer made the assertion on CNN, before the release of the latest number of deaths in Michigan related to the coronavirus. Officials say the 29 new deaths, which increased the number to 4,049, was one of the lowest daily increases since the pandemic began in Michigan.

Confirmed cases in Michigan rose by 547, bringing the total to 43,754.

During the CNN appearance, Whitmer said the protests featured “Confederate Flags, and nooses,” as well as swastikas. Members of the Michigan Liberty Militia protested the state’s stay-at-home orders this week, some with weapons and tactical gear and their faces partially covered.

“Some of the outrageousness of what happened at our capitol depicted some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country,” she said.

Some went to the Senate gallery, where a senator said armed men shouted at her. Whitmer said the protest wasn’t representative of Michigan and that she’s going to listen to facts and science to decide how to handle the pandemic.

“Whether you agree with me or not, I’m working to protect your life if you live in the state of Michigan,” she said. “I am going to continue to do my job regardless of what tweets come out or what polls come out or what people think makes sense.”

Michigan’s Republican-controlled Legislature has questioned Whitmer’s authority to extend stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic. But the governor used an executive order to extend a state of emergency declaration and has directed most businesses statewide to remain closed.