As expected, Governor Whitmer extended the current Stay at Home Executive Order (E.O.) yesterday until April. 30th. The new order puts further restrictions on individuals and businesses.
Other than allowing for online auto sales, the new E.O. (2020-42) retains all substantive restrictions on business operations in the original E.O. The new E.O. also institutes new operational requirements and restrictions.
Going forward every business that continues in-person work must develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, consistent with recommendations in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. Such plan must be available at company headquarters or the worksite.
Additionally, all businesses that are permitted to remain open under the order must adopt policies to prevent workers from entering the premises if they display respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.
Probably the most significant provision in the new order limits the number of people allowed inside your business and requires regulating entry lines to enable patrons to stand at least six feet apart from one another while waiting to enter.
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- For stores of less than 50,000 square feet of customer floor space, limit the number of people in the store (including employees) to 25% of the total occupancy limits established by the State Fire Marshal or a local fire marshal.
- For stores of more than 50,000 square feet, limit the number of customers in the store at one time (excluding employees) to 4 people per 1,000 square feet of customer floor space excluding space containing carpet or flooring, furniture, garden centers and plant nurseries.
- Cordon off floor space containing carpet or flooring, furniture, garden centers and plant nurseries to restrict sales of these items.
All businesses are encouraged to explore alternatives to lines. Consideration should be given to allowing customers to wait in their cars for a text message or phone call, to enable social distancing and to accommodate seniors and those with disabilities. Also, business must dedicate at least 2 hours per week of dedicated shopping time to vulnerable populations, which for purposes of this order are people over 60, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
The new Stay at Home Order includes a provision that restricts advertising or promotion of goods that are not groceries, medical supplies, or items that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and basic operation of residences by April 13, 2020.
Lastly, the order incorporates a few of the FAQ’s issued under the previous order.
Again, and to further emphasize: all substantive provisions of the previous order were rolled into the new one. If you were unable to conduct business before, you cannot now. If you were able to conduct business before, make sure you adhere to the new operational regulations outlined above.
For more Information on this order please contact Dan Papineau at dpapineau@michamber.com.