Detroit Regional Chamber > MDHHS, City of Detroit Issue New COVID-19 Safety Orders

MDHHS, City of Detroit Issue New COVID-19 Safety Orders

October 12, 2020
Amid uncertainty following the state’s Supreme Court ruling on Gov. Whitmer’s emergency powers, localities and other agencies have implemented regulations of their own to provide continuity of safety practices that may be jeopardized by the court’s decision. Last week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) expanded rules it had announced earlier in the week, and the City of Detroit issued new orders to keep citizens safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Updated MDHHS Regulations Include Capacity Limits, Employee Health Guidance

After previously issuing an emergency order in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the MDHHS last week updated its COVID-19 regulations, reinstating several rules initially covered by Gov. Whitmer’s executive orders. The agency was able to issue these rules via authority from the Public Health Code. Updates to the original emergency order include:

  • 50% capacity limits on retail stores, libraries, and museums;
  • 50% limit on normal seating capacity at food service establishments;
  • 25% capacity limits on recreational sports and exercise facilities and mandatory six feet distances between workout stations;
  • Mandatory six feet of distance at professional sports and entertainment venues;
  • 50% capacity limit on outdoor pools, and 25% capacity limit on indoor pools;
  • 15% capacity limit on the three Detroit casinos;
  • A prohibition on employees working until 24 hours have passed since a person last had a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared or were given a COVID-19 test that yielded a positive result and other symptoms have improved;
  • A ban on employers requiring workers to gather with other persons at work in violation of the order;
  • A required daily entry self-screening protocol for all employees or contractors entering a workplace where employers require their employees to gather with other persons for work;
  • Mandatory face coverings at day care centers under various circumstances;
  • A requirement for businesses, government offices, schools, or other operations to bar indoor gatherings of any kind unless they require those individuals, including employees, to wear face coverings.

View the full updated MDHHS order.

City of Detroit Offers Masking, Distancing Guidance to Businesses, Schools, Venues, Etc.

Similar to the MDHHS order announced Friday, Mayor Duggan issued a host of COVID-19 prevention protocols for city residents, schools, businesses, and services. This public health order was designed to provide clear, enforceable guidance for the city specifically. View the full order here.

*Seven key areas addressed in the order include:

  • Face coverings: Appropriate face coverings must be worn at indoor and outdoor gatherings. Where this is not possible, social distancing of six feet must be maintained.
  • Buses: Masks must be worn when using buses or other forms of public transportation. DDOT riders must wear a mask or they cannot ride the bus.
  • Bars, restaurants, and casinos: The order states capacity limitations, social distancing, and mask requirements for all patrons and employees. The order also stipulates that business owners must provide access to public health inspectors upon request. Food establishments must limit capacity to 50% or normal seating and follow social distancing protocols.
  • Gatherings: The order stipulates “allowable” gathering sizes with social distancing and mask requirements. Up to 10 people can gather indoors and up to 100 people can gather outdoors, at a residence.
  • Workplaces: The order says that masks must be worn and that social distancing of six feet must be maintained. Workplaces must develop COVID-19 preparedness and response plans. Remote work should be performed when possible. The order lays out guidance for various work environments including offices and health care clinics.
  • Schools: The order requires K-12 schools to publicly disclose any probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases on their website within 24 hours of learning of the cases. They must continue following COVID-19 preparedness and response plans and all staff and students must wear masks.
  • Public Accommodations: Bowling alleys, theaters, gyms, and other venues are allowed to operate as long as they comply with the rules for workplaces and gatherings.

*Highlights as outlined in the Detroit Free Press.


Related:

https://testportal.detroitchamber.com/covid19/miosha-covid-19-safety-regulations-not-impacted-by-supreme-court-decision/

https://testportal.detroitchamber.com/covid19/senate-passes-pandemic-bills-to-address-nullified-executive-orders/