Posted on 03/25/2020 4:22:57 AM PDT by equaviator
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used her emergency authority Monday to order state residents to stay in their homes and avoid in-person work through April 13 to avoid further spread of the coronavirus. What does that mean, and who is allowed to still travel or work and under what circumstances? Here are answers to some basic questions:
You can read the order here.
When does this lockdown order start?
12:01 a.m. Tuesday (3/24).
How long am I to stay in my home?
Until 11:59 p.m., April 13
Who is supposed to stay in their homes?
Everyone whose jobs are “not necessary to sustain or protect life…(or to) “conduct minimum basic operations”
Who can still go to work?
Check with your employer, but in general, workers in the following fields can continue to leave their homes for work:
Health care and public health Law enforcement, public safety, and first responders Child care Food and agriculture (such as groceries and carryout restaurants. Agriculture likely includes farm workers but it does not say specifically) Energy Water and wastewater Transportation and logistics Public works Communications and information technology, including news media Other community-based government operations and essential functions of government Critical manufacturing Hazardous materials Financial services (such as banks, credit unions and insurance industry workers who cannot complete their work from home, at minimum) Chemical supply chains and safety Defense industrial base What will remain open?
Along with the services and businesses listed above, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks, carryout restaurants and what were typically dine-in restaurants that are now serving carry-out only can stay open.
What services will continue?
Trash pickup and public transit, for example, will continue, as will maintenance of public parks to allow for outdoor recreation. (Note, however, Oakland County has ordered playground equipment closed to prevent spread of the coronavirus.) Delivery services will continue. The order encourages residents to use delivery services as much as possible.
The grocery is open. Am I allowed to go there?
Residents can leave their homes to get food at grocery stores, fill prescriptions at pharmacies and put gas in their cars. You can drive to pick up carryout meals.
What about taking care of my elderly relative?
The order allows travel to care for a family member or a family member’s pet, or to care for elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people.
Can I still volunteer?
You can leave your home to volunteer with groups that are helping provide food, shelter and other necessities during the crisis.
Can I take a walk?
Residents can leave their homes to walk, exercise a pet, hike, run or cycle, but “just be smart about it and maintain a six-foot distance” between people, Whitmer said Monday.
What if I’m out of state and want to come back to Michigan?
You can leave your home if you are traveling out of state, or back into the state, and between homes in Michigan if you have multiple residences.
Will I be arrested if I leave my house and I’m not an essential worker?
It’s possible. A willful violation of the order is a criminal misdemeanor. Whitmer mentioned in a news conference announcing the order Monday that businesses that are not considered essential could be fined if they stay open. The order includes an exemption for places of religious worship.
But arrests also seem unlikely. Local law enforcement officials, including Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, in recent days have said they likely will issue warnings for first-time violators of other public health orders limiting movements.
Does this extend Michigan’s school closure?
Yes. The order means Michigan schools, previously scheduled to reopen April 6, will be closed until at least April 13.
Can I have a handful of friends over?
No. “All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons not part of a single household are prohibited.”
Is this it, or could the stay-at-home order be extended?
Whitmer said she will re-evaluate the continuing need of the order before it expires.
It’s possible. A willful violation of the order is a criminal misdemeanor. "
The solution can be worse than the problem.
I’m going to meet up with a few retirees this morning at a local park to hit some softballs........Whitmer’s EO says we can go outside to exercise so I hope some over zealous LEO doesn’t decide to screw with us......
“All Michigan citizens placed under house arrest”
You wonder why NY is a hot bed, A friend of mine sent me a pic of a park across the street from his house. It was packed with young children and their parents
Well, I can guarantee it’s only going to be us 8 or 10 guys in the entire park.......We’re still getting rid of winter here in Michigan
Overreacting. Don’t just stand there, do something.
All this “stay-at-home social distancing” stuff is making me lay-zzz...That and the over-the-counter melatonin.
Public transit needs to get shut down.
Pickup trucks might be allowed by law to have a few masked passengers slip a dollar or two each via a partially open passenger seat window and ride in the bed.
Here’s the “kicker”.
:: Can I have a handful of friends over?
No. “All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons not part of a single household are prohibited.” ::
1A: “...abridging...the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
Sticky wicket, eh, what?
We had some friends over, and we live in Michigan. Am I stupid for doing so?
I know some of your friends so I would say yes......... :)
Next time, invite me over for an in-person evaluation.
I’m only about 2 hours away.
Will there be cake?
Sounds like a job for the Teamsters.
These authoritarian governors are really digging this virus.
I question the validity of this being a criminal offense. It was never voted on by the house or senate. So I don’t think that this would stick if you fought it in court.
As of now, it is temporary.
Patriots still hold the high ground.
We must remain diligent, tho.
Yes, you are right to house arrest.
I agree we must stay vigilant. This is nothing but a dictatorial decree from the governor. It has no legal justification that I can see. If so what written law is it based on.
On the other hand I choose to follow it but at my choice not by fake law. I do not want this to spread but will not allow her to take more power than she is legally entitled to.
“shelter in place”: “House arrest” (so far, voluntary) with a promoter.
In discussions here in Midland, it will be misdemeanor “Breach of Peace” (a real regulation!). Not sure if the State has a BoP statute but, that will be the enforcement mechanism locally.
BoP is sufficiently vague enough to give them discretion in how they enforce.
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