MDHHS Issues New Coronavirus Guidelines Lasting Three Weeks

In a Sunday night press conference, Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke alongside Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials about the current state of the coronavirus crisis.

MDHHS announced a new emergency order that will for three weeks in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Read some of the rules below:

“Under the order, indoor residential gatherings will be limited to two households at any time. However, MDHHS strongly urges families to pick a single other household to interact with over the next three weeks, . The order is aimed at limiting residential and non-residential gatherings where COVID-19 spreads rapidly.

• Bars and restaurants will be open for outdoor dining, carry-out and delivery only.
• Gyms will remain open for individual exercise with strict safety measures in place.
• Casinos, movie theaters and group exercise classes will be closed.
• Professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators, however all other organized sports must stop.
• Colleges and high schools may proceed with remote learning, but must end in-person classes.”

These orders will take effect on Nov. 18.

“The order leaves open work that cannot be performed from home, including for manufacturing, construction and health occupations. Outdoor gatherings, outdoor dining and parks remain open. Individualized activities with distancing and face masks are still allowed: retail shopping; public transit; restaurant takeout; personal-care services such as haircuts, by appointment; and individualized exercise at a gym, with extra spacing between machines.

Michigan has seen fewer outbreaks associated with elementary and middle schools, and younger children are most in need of in-person instruction. In-person K-8 schooling may continue if it can be done with strong mitigation, including mask requirements, based on discussion between local health and school officials. Childcare also remains open to support working parents. Throughout this crisis, Michigan’s teachers and childcare workers have served on the front lines ensuring support for working parents and educating our children. Governor Whitmer’s administration has worked around the clock to protect Michigan’s teachers and childcare workers and the other heroes serving on the front lines of the pandemic.”