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Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs order to expand COVID-19 testing; doctor’s order no longer needed

Order creates new ‘community testing sites’

FILE - In this May 20, 2020, file photo, Salt Lake County Health Department public health nurse Lee Cherie Booth performs a coronavirus test outside the Salt Lake County Health Department in Salt Lake City. Public health officials have said robust testing for the coronavirus is essential to safely lifting stay-at-home orders and business closures, but states are creating confusion in the way they are reporting the data. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) (Rick Bowmer, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Order on Tuesday to expand testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) across the state.

Executive Order 2020-104 expands the types of medical personnel that can order a test, and creates a new category of community testing sites that offer testing to anyone with reason to be tested without an advance order, and without charging an out-of-pocket cost to any Michigander.

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Previous: Michigan Gov. Whitmer: Goal is to test 450,000 residents for virus in May

The E.O. states that anyone who leaves their home for work, or has symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild symptoms), may receive a test at a community testing location without securing a doctor’s order in advance. Medical personnel will be available to order testing upon arrival.

A person who wishes to be tested may call the Michigan coronavirus hotline at 1-888-535-6136 or visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirustest to find an appropriate testing location.

Michiganders eligible for testing include someone who:

  • Exhibits any symptom of COVID-19, including mild symptoms 
  • Has been exposed to a person with COVID-19 
  • Has been working outside their home for at least 10 days 
  • Resides in any congregate setting, such as a long-term care facility, prison or jail, homeless shelter, or migrant camp 

“We need to keep working to expand testing, which is why it is crucial that Michiganders who have COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus can get tested,” Governor Whitmer said. “This Executive Order will pave the way for more community testing sites to open as we work towards our goal of 15,000 tests administered daily in Michigan. We owe it to the real heroes of this crisis — medical workers, first responders and other essential workers — to do what we can to stop the spread of the virus.”

Related: Here’s everything that’s reopening this week across entire state of Michigan


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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