Washtenaw County Health Department: School emergency orders still in effect

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Public health emergency orders remain in effect for schools and educational settings in Washtenaw County.

On Thursday, the Washtenaw County Health Department released a statement about the legality of its emergency orders for educational settings.

The department said it had received “numerous inquires” about the orders after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget bill.

“While the recently enacted state budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 contains language addressing the effect that an emergency order may have on appropriated funds, the Health Department retains the authority to issue and enforce its emergency orders,” the Health Department said.

It reiterated that the Isolation and Quarantine Order in Educational Settings and Wearing of Masks in Educational Settings with Washtenaw County public health orders remain in effect.

Read the full statement below:

The Washtenaw County Health Department remains committed to protecting the public health. The Michigan Public Health Code, MCL 333.2451 and MCL 333.2453, as well as State Administrative Rule R325.175(4), promulgated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to MCL 333.2226(d), authorize local health departments to issue orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Department issued its Isolation and Quarantine Order in Educational Settings (dated 9/2/21, updated 9/15/21) and its Wearing of Masks in Educational Settings Within Washtenaw County (dated 9/2/21) pursuant to this statutory and regulatory authority. While the recently enacted state budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 contains language addressing the effect that an emergency order may have on appropriated funds, the Health Department retains the authority to issue and enforce its emergency orders. Accordingly, the Isolation and Quarantine Order in Educational Settings (dated 9/2/21, updated 9/15/21) and its Wearing of Masks in Educational Settings Within Washtenaw County (dated 9/2/21) remain in effect in accordance with the provisions of those orders.