Face coverings must be worn in all Michigan child-care centers and camps, under an executive order issued today by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Executive Order 2020-164 requires:
- All staff and children ages 2 and up to wear a mask on a school bus or other transportation.
- All staff and children ages 4 and up to wear a mask in all indoor common spaces.
- All staff and children 12 and older to wear a mask when in classrooms, homes, cabins, or similar indoor small-group settings.
The governor also strongly encourages that all children ages 2 and up wear face coverings when indoors. These rules align with the existing rules on face coverings that already apply to pre-K-12 schools across Michigan, a press release said.
If a child-care center is located in a region in Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan, face coverings are not required, but are still strongly recommended. Currently, the northern part of the Lower Peninsula as well as the Upper Peninsula are in Stage 5.
Furthermore, face coverings are not required for any child who cannot medically tolerate it, during meal time, while swimming, during high-intensity activities, outside while physically distanced, or if a child is under the age of 2.
Michigan has seen COVID-19 outbreaks at child-care centers and camps, “adding to the mounting evidence that children can contract and spread the virus,” the press release said. “By requiring face coverings, child-care centers and camps can remain open while keeping children and staff members safe.”
Public health officials said this week they are now aware of more than 50 confirmed cases and 13 probable cases of COVID-19 tied to a Christian youth camp in Gladwin County.
Meanwhile, officials say approximately 250 people who attended an overnight camp near Hastings are at risk of coronavirus exposure after several people at the camp tested positive for the virus.
Hundreds of kids may have been exposed to coronavirus at Michigan camp
“COVID-19 is still a very real threat to Michiganders of all ages, and we must continue to stay vigilant and use every tool at our disposal to protect ourselves and each other,” Whitmer said in the press release.
Gov. Whitmer tells state agencies to prioritize enforcement of mask mandate
The governor also extended Executive Order 2020-146 until Aug. 15. That order applies to the entry and transfer of prisoners within the Michigan correctional system.
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS:
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nosewhile in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.
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