LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new emergency order Sunday 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.
The new order go into effect Wednesday, November 18 at 12:01 a.m. Under this order, indoor residential gatherings are limited to two households at any one time.
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. Kindergarten through eighth grade classes can proceed face-to-face, at the discretion of each school district.
“In the spring, we listened to public health experts, stomped the curve, and saved thousands of lives together. Now, we must channel that same energy and join forces again to protect our families, frontline workers and small businesses,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Right now, there are thousands of cases a day and hundreds of deaths a week in Michigan, and the number is growing. If we don’t act now, thousands more will die, and our hospitals will continue to be overwhelmed. We can get through this together by listening to health experts once again and taking action right now to slow the spread of this deadly virus.”
“Indoor gatherings are the greatest source of spread, and sharply limiting them is our focus,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “The order is targeted and temporary, but a terrible loss of life will be forever unless we act. By coming together today, we can save thousands of lives.”
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.
Pause to Save Lives graphic from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (courtesy of MDHHS)
