The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued orders essentially reinstating restrictions on long term care facilities and other facilities due to coronavirus. The residential care order has three major components: notice requirements regarding cases, limitations on visitations and limitations on communal dining. Contact the local health department in the facility’s jurisdiction to report the presence of a confirmed COVID-19 positive employee or resident. The order continues restrictions on visitation to residential care facilities, which include nursing homes, homes for the aged, adult foster care, assisted living, independent living, and SUD residential facilities. The community dining rules apply for the first time to independent living, hospice facilities and SUD residential facilities.

Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Friday to maintain temporary visitation restrictions at health care facilities and nursing homes amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to a press release from Whitmers Office, Executive Order 2020-174 continues the limited and temporary restrictions on the entry of individuals into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities previously imposed by Executive Order 2020-156.The order extends through Sept. 30. Under the order, all visitors and staff of residential care facilities, congregate care facilities or juvenile justice facilities must wear a mask when indoors or within six feet of another person. Whitmer created the bipartisan Michigan Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force in June within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The task force was instructed by the governor to recommend an action plan for preparing nursing homes for any future waves of COVID-19 cases by Aug. 31.