Governor Whitmer extends Stay Home, Stay Safe Order, directs Michiganders to wear homemade masks in enclosed public spaces

On April 24, 2020 Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed executive order 2020-59, extending her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through May 15. The new order will require people to wear homemade face coverings when they enter enclosed public spaces. It will also lift some restrictions on outdoor activities and allow some workers who perform previously suspended activities to go back to work.

“Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe. That’s good, but we must keep it up. Social distancing is our best weapon to defeat this enemy,” said Governor Whitmer. “With new COVID-19 cases leveling off, however, we are lifting some of the restrictions put in place in the previous order. I want to be crystal clear: the overarching message today is still the same. We must all do our part by staying home and staying safe as much as possible.”

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.
• 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.