(WXYZ) — Businesses in Oakland County that are remaining open during the stay-at-home order will have tighter restrictions, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter announced on Tuesday.
According to Coulter, the order will require tighter screening procedures for employees of essential businesses and implementation of social distancing for employees and customers.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says that residents can call the non-emergency line if they believe there is a non-essential business still operating and a deputy will be sent out to assess. If deemed non-essential, the business owner or manager will be informed.
Taking temps outside a business may seem over-the-top or drastic to some -- but keep in mind this practice was widespread in China in an effort to stop the virus from spreading. In some places a temperature check was required to enter restaurants, bars etc. @wxyzdetroit
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) March 25, 2020
Deputies will not shut anyone down, but they will file reports with the health department and attorney general. At a future date, the business could lose its license or potentially be charged by the AG's office.
Related: Read the full stay-at-home executive order signed by Gov. Whitmer
Businesses that remain open must implement a daily screening program for all staff that comes in. The screenings must include symptom check, a temperature check when a touchless thermometer is available, and questions about close contact with anyone who has COVID-19 or traveled in the last two weeks.
If an employee shows symptoms or has traveled, employees must be excluded for 3 days with no fever and seven days from the first symptom, or 14 days if its close contact of a diagnosed COVID-19 case.
On top of that, businesses must implement a plan to manage and control social distancing for employees working alongside one another and people waiting in line. They must limit capacity inside facilities to provide for social distancing, and the order must be published at the entrance of the facility.
You can read the order below.
Oakland County Health Order for Screening at Businesses by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.