MDHHS issues three-week epidemic order amid fall COVID-19 surge

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a new emergency order 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 order takes effect on November 18, 2020 at 12:01 AM and remains in effect through December 8, 2020 at 11:59 PM.

Unlike the blanket Stay Home, Stay Safe measures enacted in the spring, this emergency order leaves open work that cannot be performed from home, including for manufacturing, construction and health occupations.

Under this order, indoor residential gatherings are limited to two households at any one time. However, MDHHS strongly urges families to pick a single other household to interact with over the next three weeks, consistent with new guidance released by the department. 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.

Read the full emergency order from the MDHHS here.