News - Advocacy
Thursday, July 30, 2020 12:30 PM

Updates on Executive Orders Affecting Libraries

July 30, 2020

On Wednesday, July 29, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-160 and Executive Order 2020-161, amending Michigan’s Safe Start Order and issuing revised workplace safeguards.

The Governor stated that with rising cases throughout Michigan, these updates were necessary to protect lives and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Under the Safe Start Order, starting July 31, 2020, statewide indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people, outdoor gatherings are not to exceed 100 people, and bars will be closed for indoor service across the state, including in Regions 6 and 8. Regions 6 and 8 also have different limits on gatherings.

Here is the status and a short recap of the Executive Orders MLA continues to follow as of July 30, 2020:

EO 2020-161 - Safeguards to Protect Michigan’s Workers from COVID-19 (July 29)

Businesses must continue to do their part to protect their employees, their patrons, and their communities. Many businesses have already done so by implementing robust safeguards to prevent viral transmission. This Executive Order provides workplace standards that apply to all businesses across the state and now includes a new section on casinos.

EO 2020-160 - Amended Safe Start Order (July 29)

In this and in prior rescinded Executive Orders, Michiganders are no longer required to stay home. Businesses that must remain closed are specified in this Executive Order. Any work that is capable of being performed remotely must be performed remotely. Under one of the past orders that this one replaced, libraries were able to reopen on June 8 and provide in-person services like curbside. Three Detroit casinos are able to open with 15% capacity on August 5. Michiganders must continue to wear face coverings when in enclosed public spaces and should continue to take all reasonable precautions to protect themselves, their co-workers, their loved ones, and their communities. Indoor social gatherings and events of more than 10 people are prohibited. Outdoor social gatherings and events are permitted so long as people maintain six feet of distance from one another and the assemblage consists of no more than 100 people. In Regions 6 and 8, all bars will be closed for indoor service again, while indoor gatherings are still limited to 25% maximum capacity and outdoor events at no more than 250-500 people (depending on the kind of activity.)

EO 2020-154 - Alternative means to conduct government business during the COVID-19 pandemic

Allows public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act, including boards, commissions, committees, subcommittees, authorities, councils and nonprofit boards, to use telephone or video-conferencing methods to continue meeting and conducting business during the COVID-19 public health crisis, so long as they follow certain procedures to ensure meaningful access and participation by members of the public body and the general public.

EO 2020-153 - Mask Wearing (in effect Monday, July 13)

To protect workers, shoppers, and the community, no business that is open to the public may provide service to a customer or allow a customer to enter its premises, unless the customer is wearing a face covering as required by this order. This order clarifies that businesses may not assume that an unmasked customer cannot medically tolerate a face covering, though they may accept a customer’s verbal representation to that effect. Any individual who leaves their home or place of residence must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in any indoor public space, when outdoors and unable to consistently maintain six or more feet, and when on public transportation.

EO 2020-151 - Declaration of the State of Emergency and state of disaster-related to the COVID-19 pandemic effective immediately and continuing through August 11, 2020, at 11:59 pm.

 


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