After some confusion and a bit of backlash, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer late Saturday night signed a new Executive Order which clarifies the restrictions she had established back on Friday regarding entry into hospitals, care facilities and juvenile justice facilities.
Under Executive Order 2020-7, effective immediately, all health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities must prohibit any visitors that are not necessary for the provision of medical care, the support of activities of daily living, or the exercise of power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship for an individual under the facility’s care; as well as those who are not a parent, foster parent, or guardian of an individual 21 years old or younger who is under the facility’s care; and those who are not visiting an individual under the facility’s care that is in serious or critical condition or in hospice care; or those who are not visiting under exigent circumstances or for the purpose of performing official governmental functions.
Additionally, beginning as soon as possible but no later than Monday, March 16th at 9:00am, these facilities must assess for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors all individuals not under their care who are seeking entry into their facilities. The facilities must deny entry to any individual with these symptoms or risk factors.
The order’s restrictions will remain in place until April 5, 2020 at 5:00pm. During that time, the order encourages the affected facilities to use electronic communication platforms to facilitate visitations with individuals under their care.
The Governor says, “We are taking every measure we can to mitigate the spread of coronavirus and protect Michigan families,” adding, “This is a hard time for families, and we will continue to put their health and safety first when making these decisions. I also want to remind everyone to continue doing everything they can at an individual level to protect themselves and their families, like washing their hands and practicing social distancing. We will get through this together.”
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Deputy for Health and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says, “We believe these actions, along with those the governor has announced in the past few days, will help us slow the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan and protect our communities,” concluding, “We encourage every Michigander to remain flexible and take care of each other at this time.”
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Replace handshakes with elbow bumps.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
