If your place of business is planning to re-open tomorrow thanks to easing restrictions in the latest gubernatorial order but you’re coming up short in attempts to find the proper personal protective gear — specifically face masks — the State Attorney General is weighing in on the matter this afternoon, urging a measure of lenience on the part of law enforcement.
Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a statement today on the matter. Her office says that although the latest Executive Order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (2020-59) requires employers to provide appropriate face coverings to all of their onsite employees starting at midnight tonight, appropriate face coverings remain in high demand and short supply.
The office says that when she was alerted to the problem earlier today, Nessel issued the following statement:
“I know many business owners around the state are working hard to reopen and comply with the Governor’s Executive Order. Securing appropriate face coverings by the Monday deadline, though, appears to be a difficult task for some businesses given limited supplies. Therefore, I am asking our law enforcement partners around the state to consider the good faith efforts of businesses that have tried, but have been unsuccessful, in obtaining appropriate face coverings when deciding whether to take criminal enforcement action against a non-compliant business.
“While businesses work diligently to find appropriate face coverings to meet the requirements of the Executive Order, I urge employees that can safely do so to use their own face coverings as protection until businesses provide face coverings as required by the Governor’s order. The Governor’s order requires that each of us – businesses and employees – work together to safely and successfully reopen our economy. We appreciate the cooperation of law enforcement, employers and employees as we strive to carefully and thoughtfully reopen our state, one step at a time.”
