WASHTENAW COUNTY (WXYZ) — After the Michigan Supreme Court shot down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 orders saying that she overstepped her powers, many Michigan counties have responded individually to how they plan to move forward during the pandemic.
Washtenaw County is the latest local entity to announce that COVID-19 orders would be upheld. On Monday, the Washtenaw County Health Department announced local emergency health orders to prevent the spread of the virus.
Washtenaw County health officer Jimena Loveluck issued the countywide orders, which will require face coverings, bar and restaurant capacities and employee health screenings.
“There is no question that wearing face coverings, keeping distance, cleaning hands and fully cooperating with health officials reduces the spread of COVID-19 and prevents additional cases,” Loveluck said. “We must continue working together to reduce the spread of illness and protect everyone’s health. The pandemic is not over, and we must remain cautious – even as we work to resume as much normalcy as possible as safely as possible.”
The orders confirm that residents, businesses and organizations can and should continue following public health guidance to reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19 locally:
- Use face coverings in all public settings and anywhere 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained between individuals not living in the same house.
- Limit the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings and require measures to prevent the spread of illness.
- Keep the capacity of bars and restaurants to 50 percent or less.
- Continue to complete mandatory, daily health screenings of employees.
There are currently 3,459 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Washtenaw County.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
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.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
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