By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published May 1, 2020

Governor Whitmer signed an executive order Thursday which extends a previous order that temporarily closes certain places of public accommodation such as theaters, bars, casinos, and other like businesses.

In order to maintain social distancing the order also limits restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders.

The new order is set to expire on May 28.

“Although we are beginning to see the curve flatten, we are not out of the woods yet. We must all continue to be diligent, observe social distancing and limit in-person interactions and services to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michigan now has more than 40,000 cases of COVID-19. The virus has killed more Michiganders than we lost during the Vietnam war. Extending this order is vital to the health and safety of every Michigander. If we work together and do our part, we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”

The order does not restrict a place of business from offering food and beverage using delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, or drive-up service.

Places of public accommodation are encouraged to offer food and beverage service in one or more of those ways and use precautions to mitigate potential transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing and wearing as face covering.

Restaurants may allow five people inside at a time to pick up orders, so long as they stay six feet apart from each other.

The restrictions do not apply to the following locations: office buildings, grocery stores, markets, food pantries, pharmacies, drug stores, and providers of medical equipment and supplies, health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities, warehouse and distribution centers, and industrial and manufacturing facilities.