Whitmer Extends Coronavirus State of Emergency Through Sept. 4

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new executive order last Friday, extending Michigan’s emergency and declaration until Friday September 4th. Our current order would have expired on Tuesday August 11th. The Original state of emergency was declared on March 10th, the date the first two covid-19 cases were confirmed in Michigan. With an emergency declaration, the state can help local governments and allow the Governor to activate applicable relief forces.

Our state has seen every region experience an uptick in new cases, and in July we have exceeded 50 cases per million statewide daily. Our positivity rate has also gone up, from 2% in mid-June to 3.5% in July. MLive reports “We are in a crucial time in our fight against COVID-19, and we must do everything we can to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and the brave men and women on the front lines of this crisis from a second wave,” Whitmer said in a press release. “Today, I signed new emergency and disaster declarations using independent sources of statutory authority to continue saving lives. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to protect Michiganders from the spread of this virus. I want to remind everyone in Michigan to wear a mask, practice safe physical distancing, and do everything in your power to fight COVID-19.”

This state of emergency is different than the stay at home orders which ended in June. The Governor has also issued executive orders that require face coverings over your mouth and nose when in public indoor and crowded outdoor places.