LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided details about an extended stay-at-home order during a coronavirus (COVID-19) press conference Thursday afternoon.
- UPDATE: Whitmer has signed executive order 2020-42, extending her prior “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through the end of April. As with the prior order, Executive Order 2020-42 limits gatherings and travel and requires all workers who are not necessary to sustain or protect life to stay home. Executive Order 2020-42 also imposes more stringent limitations on stores to reduce foot traffic, slow the spread of the coronavirus, and save lives. Here’s what you need to know about the order extension.
Whitmer had said earlier this week that she was considering extending the order. Her office confirmed Wednesday that the governor has decided to extend it as the number of cases of COVID-19 continue to rise.
MORE: Michigan governor will extend ‘stay home’ order as coronavirus cases top 20,000
“I know it’s taken a toll and I know it’s hard, but we also know that we are still on the upward swing” of the virus spread, Whitmer told WOOD-TV. “It’s really important that we continue to double down on mitigation and protecting folks by staying home.”
The stay-at home order, which Whitmer announced on March 23, was originally scheduled to be in place until April 14.
On Tuesday, Michigan lawmakers voted to extend the state’s emergency declaration through the end of the month.