MDHHS Issues Three-Week Epidemic Order to Address Surge in COVID Cases
New order limits indoor and outdoor gatherings where COVID-19 is more likely to spread from person to person
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new emergency order Sunday evening that enacts a three-week pause targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities in an effort to curb rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rates.
Governor Whitmer, Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon held a press conference to announce and discuss details of the order which include gathering and capacity restrictions, mask requirements and in-person class restrictions for education. Some of the regulations include the following:
- 3-week mandated closing of entertainment venues, recreational facilities and indoor dining at bars and restaurants;
- 30% capacity limit for retail stores, libraries and museums;
- 25% capacity at exercise facilities with 12 feet between workout stations and no group classes;
- personal service businesses such as spas, salons, massage and piercing facilities must be by appointment only and masks must be worn for the duration of the service;
- in-person classes at public, non-public and boarding schools may continue for Pre-K through 8th grade but are prohibited for high school (grades 9-12) and college students; and
- school sports and extracurricular activities are suspended;
Additional regulations and restrictions are included in the full MDHHS emergency order
The order takes effect on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 12:01 AM, and remains in effect through December 8, 2020 at 11:59 PM.
