Gov. Whitmer Extends Michigan’s Stay-at-Home Order Until May 28

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive OrderThursday  to extend Michigan’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order to May 28th.

The order is the fourth extension Whitmer has made, but will have some changes. The new order will allow employees in manufacturing to return to the job. In the new order those with the Michigan’s Big 3 auto companies will be able to  resume work on Monday, May 11. Most will phase in their employees on May 18th.

“This is good news for our state, our businesses, and our working families,” said Governor Whitmer. “We’re not out of the woods yet, but this is an important step forward on our MI Safe Start plan to re-engage our economy safely and responsibly. As we continue to phase in sectors of our economy, I will keep working around the clock to ensure our businesses adopt best practices to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19. When we all keep doing our part, we can reduce the risk of a second wave and re-engage our economy safely and responsibly.”

In a release by Whitmer's office, manufacturing facilities must adopt measures to protect their workers from the spread of COVID-19. That includes conducting a daily entry screening protocol for workers and everyone else entering the facility, including a questionnaire covering symptoms and exposure to people with possible COVID-19, together with a temperature screening as soon as no-touch thermometers can be obtained. They must also create dedicated entry points at every facility, and suspend entry of all non-essential in-person visits, including tours.

“The worst thing we can do is open up in a way that causes a second wave of infections and death, puts health care workers at further risk, and wipes out all the progress we've made. That's why we will continue to monitor the spread of this virus, hospital capacity, testing rates, and more as we work toward reaching the ‘improving’ phase,” Whitmer said.

On Thursday there were 93 new deaths and 592 new cases of coronavirus in Michigan.