Michigan COVID-19 Update: The Latest from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

On Nov. 15, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services implemented new restrictions effective Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, for a three-week period, or until Dec. 8. The MDHHS decision was fueled by a significant rise in the number of COVID-19 cases since Oct 1.

In its Gatherings and Face Mask Order, the MDHHS noted that Michigan’s seven-day average of 512 cases per million people is five times higher than the case rate as of Oct. 1.  Additional statistics, show that test positivity has increased from 3.2% in early October to 12% on Nov. 13, and that hospitalizations for COVID-19 have doubled in less than two weeks, with over 4.5 times the hospitalizations as compared to Oct. 1.

In the midst of these rising numbers, the MDHHS has issued the following further restrictions beginning Nov. 18:

• Indoor gatherings at residential venues are limited to no more than 10 persons from no more than two households.
• Indoor gatherings are prohibited at non-residential venues.
• Remote work is required for those that can perform their jobs under such conditions.
• Public and non-public high schools must attend classes virtually.
• Public and non-public universities must now all be virtual.
• All organized sports are immediately suspended, with the exception of certain collegiate and professional athletics, which must adhere to applicable federal, state and local precautionary guidelines. This suspension in particular suspends immediately all high school athletics.
• All dine-in services for restaurants and bars are immediately suspended. Carry out services may continue as was the case at the start of the pandemic.
• Retail shopping, hair salons, barbershops, gyms, indoor and outdoor pools shall remain open subject to all applicable federal, state and local precautionary guidelines.
• Gatherings at entertainment venues such as auditoriums, arenas, banquet halls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, casinos, and night clubs are prohibited.

See the MDHHS website for a complete listing.

For all permissible gatherings face masks are required except for limited exceptions such as younger children (generally under 2), those medically incapable of wearing a face mask, while persons are eating and drinking, and for those that are receiving a medical procedure where the wearing of a mask is impracticable.

All Michigan residents need to remain abreast of the latest restrictions, including employers, business owners, and Michigan families in order to ensure compliance.

The McDonald Hopkins COVID Response Team will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates on further restrictions and their status as they arise related to the COVID-19 crisis.