Pontiac, Mich., October 5, 2020 – Oakland County Health Division is rescinding local emergency order 2020-12 FOR CONTROL OF PANDEMIC FACIAL COVERINGS. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon today issued an Emergency Order under MCL 333.2253 restricting gathering sizes, requiring face coverings in public spaces and places limitations on bars and other venues.
“The fundamental role of government is to keep the public safe. We know that we are still in the middle of a pandemic with a highly contagious virus,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “It is vital that we maintain the measures that are critical to limiting the spread of the virus and allowing businesses to stay open, schools to re-open and our hospitals to operate safely. I support the actions taken by the Governor throughout the pandemic and agree that our State and Local health departments have independent authority – and must now use it – to protect the health of all Michigan residents.”
Today’s statewide order largely reinstates, under MDHHS’s authority, major aspects of prior executive orders including:
- Requirements to wear masks at indoor and outdoor gatherings. The order also requires the wearing of masks at schools in Oakland County.
- Limitations on the size of gatherings.
- Limitations on certain establishments: Although the order does not close bars, it requires them to close indoor common areas where people can congregate, dance or otherwise mingle. Indoor gatherings are prohibited anywhere alcoholic beverages are sold except for table services where parties are separated from one another by at least six feet.
- Athletes training or practicing for or competing in an organized sport must wear a facial covering, except when swimming, or consistently maintain six feet of social distance.
“The local emergency order issued this weekend is now covered by the Emergency Order released today by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, Oakland County’s health officer. “We must remain vigilant with wearing a face covering, social distancing and other protection measures to not regress in our fight against COVID-19.”
The MDHHS order is effective immediately and remains in effect through Friday, Oct. 30. Individuals with suggestions and concerns are invited to submit comments via email to COVID19@michigan.gov.
General COVID-19 resources can be found on the Health Division’s website at www.oakgov.com/covid or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Nurse on Call is available 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter.
For media inquiries only please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media and communications officer, at 248-858-1048.
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