Stay Home, Stay Safe

Visual description: A white woman with brown shoulder-length hair, wearing a black blazer with a black shirt standing in front of a light gray background with the MDCR logo inserted in the lower left part of the screen.

Transcript: Hi, this is DODDBHH Director Annie Urasky. We want to ensure the community continues to be informed regarding updates to state actions related to the coronavirus, COVID-19.

Today, March 23, Governor Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order.

This means all Michigan businesses are to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of a critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.

Effective at 12:01 am on March 24, 2020, for at least the next three weeks, individuals may only leave their home or place of residence under very limited circumstances, and they must follow social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when they do so, including remaining at least six feet from people.

Governor Whitmer has stressed the importance of staying home and staying safe.

You can go to the grocery store or pick up take-out food. Go to the pharmacy to pick up a needed prescription. Engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running, biking. Go to the hospital or secure any care necessary to address a medical emergency or to preserve your health or the health of a loved one. Fill your car with gas. Return to Michigan to a home or place of residence from outside the State. Leave the State for a home or residence elsewhere. Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian for needed medical care.

You may not leave the home to work unless your employer designates you as a critical infrastructure worker. Participate in any public gatherings. Visit someone in the hospital, nursing home, or other residential care facilities (with limited exceptions). Go to the mall or to restaurants.

Businesses that remain open for in-person work must take aggressive steps to minimize spread of COVID-10. They must promote remote work to the fullest extent possible. Restrict the number of workers present in-person on the job. Keep employees at least six feet from one another to the maximum extent possible and enabling social distancing for customers who are standing in line. Follow any other social distancing practices and mitigation measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

Remember, it is important you stay home and stay safe.