LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — More restrictions are being put in place to keep Michiganders safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday morning Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order during a press conference updating the public on the state’s response efforts to COVID-19.
This order prohibits all businesses and operations from requiring workers to leave their homes, “unless those workers are necessary to sustain or protect life or to conduct minimum basic operations,” an official statement reads.
The order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday and will last for at least the next three weeks; however, there are some exceptions.
Essential employees such as first responders will still be able to travel to work. In addition, workers that provide essential services like grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations will also still report to work.
Michiganders are directed to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity while still social distancing, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family. Residents are still able to go out and purchase necessary products, groceries, supplies to work from home, and other items. Grocery stores will stay open as well as gas stations, banks, pharmacies, and other essential businesses.
Ohio announced a similar order on Sunday and other states have had similar measures in place like Illinois, California, and New York.
On Saturday Governor Whitmer signed an executive order saying that all facilities that provide non-essential personal care services must temporarily close like hair, nail, and tanning salons. This comes after she canceled all events with more than 50 people and ordered the closure of all bars, restaurants, and many other businesses in hopes of slowing the spread of the virus.
Now, this new order stops all public and private gatherings of any number of people.
Michigan is currently in the top five states in the nation in number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. At last reported on Tuesday, March 24th there were 24 deaths and 1,791 positive cases of the coronavirus in Michigan.
In her press briefing the governor explained that “In just 13 days, we’ve gone from 0 to over 1,000 COVID-19 cases. This is an unprecedented crisis that requires all of us working together to protect our families and our communities. The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home. I know this will be hard, but it will be temporary. If we all come together, get serious, and do our part by staying home, we can stay safe and save lives.”
More information on the coronavirus can be found at michigan.gov/coronavirus.
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Common symptoms of COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory ailments such as:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Pneumonia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Replace handshakes with elbow bumps.
- Stay at least six feet away from others when in a public setting.
The MDHHS hotline for those reporting symptoms will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-800-535-6136.
