What the New Executive Order Allows

(April 24, 2020 5:38 PM)  Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a new Executive Order today, extending the restrictions in place through May 15, but adding exceptions.  The Governor said, “Over the past week, we have watched the number of new COVID-19 cases slowly decline. We aren’t out of the woods yet, and we’re watching closely to see if new hotspots develop. But it is time to start thinking about the future and how we can safely and gradually put Michiganders back to work.”

THE NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER WILL ALLOW SOME WORKERS WHO PERFORM PREVIOUSLY SUSPENDED ACTIVITIES TO GO BACK ON THE JOB.

THE ORDER WILL:

• Allow landscapers, lawn-service companies, greenhouses, and nurseries to return to work, subject to strict social distancing.
• Permit retailers that do not sell necessary supplies to reopen for curbside pick-up and for delivery.
• Lift the “closed areas” (e.g., garden centers) and advertising restrictions on large stores.
• Allow bike repair shops to reopen.

THE ORDER WILL ALSO EASE UP ON SOME RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. IT WILL, FOR EXAMPLE:

• Allow motorized boating and golf, consistent with sound social distancing. No golf carts allowed.

• It will permit individuals to travel between their residences, though such travel during the epidemic is strongly discouraged.

• And it will clarify that state parks remain open, as they have been throughout the emergency.

FINALLY, THE ORDER WILL REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS WHEN THEY ENTER ENCLOSED PUBLIC SPACES.

• And it will also require employers to provide at least cloth face coverings to their employees. No one should be afraid to go to work.  The Governor specified “homemade” masks so health care can have access to N95 and surgical masks.
• People won’t have to wear face coverings when they’re taking a walk in the neighborhood. But when you go to the grocery store, you should be wearing one
• The Governor said clerks have the right to refuse service to someone not wearing a mask. 
• There are no criminal penalties for not wearing a mask

The Executive Order is effective immediately.