On Tuesday, March 2, 2021, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued two new orders effective Friday, March 5, 2021, through April 19, 2021. The first order is a revised version of the previous Gatherings and Face Mask Order expanding capacity limitations for various venues and residential gatherings. The second order allows for visitation at long-term care facilities under certain restrictions and requirements.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer also announced the formation of a new work group under the Michigan Department of Labor that will assess plans for return to work, including phased return to office spaces. For now, those who must work from their place of employment can do so, and those who can work remotely must also continue to do so.
The orders increase capacity limitations and allow for visitations as follows.
Increased Capacities at Venues and Residential/Non-Residential Gatherings:
Exceptions to these capacity limitations in new order:
Increased Capacities at Entertainment, Recreational and Food Service Facilities:
Capacity Increases for Other Facilities:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Visitation will be allowed if the facility meets the following criteria:
Visitation is allowed under the following circumstances:
The order regarding visitation also imposes several other requirements in order for facilities to allow visitations, including excluding visitors who are unwilling or unable to wear a facemask, limiting entry to designated entrances to allow for proper screening, displaying appropriate signage, requiring social distancing during visits and prohibiting physical contact between visitors and residents/employees, as well as several other specific requirements.
The orders can be found here:
Fact sheets regarding the new orders can be found here:
If you have any questions concerning any of these new orders, please contact a member of our COVID-19 service team: Michael Azzi, Amanda Fielder, Monique Field-Foster, Homayune Ghaussi, Matthew Johnson or Ford Turrell.
