Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order has been extended to May 28; but manufacturing employees, particularly those in “Michigan’s Big 3 auto companies,” can be allowed to resume work May 11 under certain conditions.
Those were among the announcements made Thursday by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Click here for a video clip)
“We’re not out of the woods yet, but this is an important step forward on our MI Safe Start plan to re-engage our economy safely and responsibly,” Whitmer said. “As we continue to phase in sectors of our economy, I will keep working around the clock to ensure our businesses adopt best practices to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19. When we all keep doing our part, we can reduce the risk of a second wave and re-engage our economy safely and responsibly.”
Under Executive Order 2020-77, manufacturing facilities must adopt measures to protect their workers from the spread of COVID-19. Those steps include a daily entry screening protocol for workers and everyone else entering the facility.
This will include a questionnaire covering symptoms and exposure to people with possible COVID-19; and a temperature screening “as soon as no-touch thermometers can be obtained.” The manufacturing sites must also create dedicated entry points at every facility, and suspend entry of all non-essential in-person visits, such as tours.
Manufacturing facilities must also train workers on topics such as how COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, steps they must take to notify the business or operation of signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or suspected or confirmed diagnosis, and the use of personal protective equipment.
“The safety of our workers is our top priority and I am confident that Michigan manufacturers are prepared to deliver on the worker protections included in today’s order,” said John Walsh, President and CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. “We believe the manufacturing industry has a big role to play in Michigan’s economic recovery and we’re ready to lead the way. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the governor to bring the manufacturing industry back up to full strength.”
In addition, all businesses in Michigan must must require masks to be worn when workers cannot consistently maintain six feet of separation from others, and consider face shields for those who cannot consistently maintain three feet of separation from other workers.
“MICHauto and the Detroit Regional Chamber applaud the Governor for her continued steps to safely re-open our economy. Automotive and manufacturing is not only the backbone of our regional and state economy, it is essential to the functioning of the global supply chain. This is good news for Michigan and the nation,” said Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MICHauto, and vice president of Automotive and Mobility Initiatives for the Chamber.
Other details of the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order remain in effect until May 28, 2020. Under this order, Michiganders still must not leave their homes except to run critical errands, to engage in safe outdoor activities, or to go to specified jobs.
The latest updates from State of Michigan, including current and past executive orders, can be found at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.
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Also today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer detailed the six phases of her MI Safe Start Plan to re-engage Michigan’s economy. Her offices said she has worked with leaders in health care, business, labor, and education to develop the plan, and announced today that Michigan is in phase three.
The phases are :
1) UNCONTROLLED GROWTH: The increasing number of new cases every day, overwhelming our health systems.
2) PERSISTENT SPREAD: We continue to see high case levels with concern about health system capacity.
3) FLATTENING: The epidemic is no longer increasing and the health-system’s capacity is sufficient for current needs.
4) IMPROVING: Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are clearly declining.
5) CONTAINING: Continued case and death rate improvements, with outbreaks quickly contained.
6) POST-PANDEMIC: Community spread not expected to return.
The 15-page report with this outline can be found at this link.
The MI Safe Start Plan
