Whitmer closing high schools, colleges, in-person dining, entertainment venues.

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Whitmer closing high schools, colleges, in-person dining, entertainment venues.

LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced tonight new restrictions for in an response to recent surges in COVID-19 cases. Whitmer is using a law that allows the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to issue certain epidemic-related emergency orders, Whitmer 

Under three week order, which takes effect Wednesday, Nov. 18, colleges and high schools will be moved to remote learning, ending in-person classes. Indoor residential gatherings are limited to two households at any one time. MDHHS is urging 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.

“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.”

Today’s order, which takes effect Wednesday, Nov. 18, is not a blanket stay-home action like in the spring. 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.

State Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann, who represents Mason, Manistee, Benzie, and Leelanau counties, acknowledged that the increase in COVID-19 cases is serious. However, he said the governor again ignored the process of working with the legislature.

“Once again the governor proves we aren’t really in this together as she acted unilaterally without input from the legislature,” O’Malley said. “I agree that we have a serious situation that needs attention. It would be advantageous to explain and ask to get the public’s  buy-in as opposed to hitting with a lockdown. Once again small business takes the hit.  Thankfully the Michigan Supreme Court nullified her emergency powers. These department issued orders do not have the same level of power. Let’s protect the vulnerable, limit social gatherings, social distance, wash hands and wear a mask if you are able and willing.”

“The data we are seeing is alarming. COVID-19 is impacting every area of our state. Our healthcare systems are becoming overwhelmed, and our contact tracers cannot keep up,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “If we do not act now, we risk thousands more deaths, and even more people having long-term health consequences. The actions we are taking today are the best opportunity we have to get this virus under control.”

“We know these restrictions are difficult, but we support them as a necessary step to mitigate the spread of this virus. We have seen firsthand the devastating effects of COVID-19,” said Wright L. Lassiter III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. “The dramatic rise in admissions at hospitals across Michigan is not sustainable. We strongly urge everyone to honor these restrictions and continue safety measures like wearing masks, avoiding gatherings, and practicing social distancing and hand hygiene. Preventing the spread is our collective responsibility and we must be willing to make these sacrifices to save lives of those we love.”

“Restaurants and bars have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic but we understand these new restrictions while painful are necessary to try to flatten the curve and save lives,” said Paola R. Mendivil, owner of El Granjero Mexican Grill, a family-owned restaurant in Grand Rapids. “We in the restaurant industry understand we have to listen to medical experts and work together to beat COVID-19 and we applaud the Governor for her continued support for additional federal stimulus dollars so we keep struggling restaurants and bars afloat during these difficult times and support the tens of thousands of restaurant workers who put themselves at risk each and every day.”

The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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