Michigan Extends Pandemic Order, Extends Mask Order for Kids 2-4
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has extended pandemic orders for Michigan residents and mask requirements will now include children as young as two years old.
The order will be extended until the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend on May 24.
According to a press release from the MDHHS, the order includes limitations on indoor gatherings and expanded testing requirements for youth sports.
MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel also urges Michigan residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
"Michigan continues to implement smart health policies and mitigation measures to fight the spread of COVID-19,” Hertel said. “This includes the requirement to wear a mask while in public and at gatherings, limits on indoor residential social gatherings larger than 15 people with no more than three households, and expanded testing requirements for youth sports. Additionally, the most important thing people can do right now is to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their families, and help us eliminate this virus once and for all.”
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the MDHHS expressed concern for Michigan's latest coronavirus surge.
"More than 5.5 million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccines have been administered in Michigan, and we are well on our way to vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and up," Khaldun said. "However, I continue to be incredibly concerned about our state’s COVID-19 data. We are still very much fighting this pandemic and seeing concerning trends in new cases and hospitalizations.