LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is letting some services return to operations order a new executive order that were previously deemed non-essential.
Landscapers, law service companies, plant nurseries and bike repair shops can resume operating, subject to social-distancing rules. Big-box retailers no longer have to close off garden centers and areas dedicated to selling paint and carpet.
Whitmer spoke about the changes in a news briefing Friday. She stressed the importance of social distancing for these workers.
"That means that they should have limited contact with clients, workers should have the personal protection equipment that they need like gloves goggles, and masks as appropriate," Whitmer said. "Where they are using shared tools or machinery, extra sanitation efforts must be taken."
Some lawn care business and landscape companies have threatened the governor with legal action because they have missed early spring time work days.
“The governor has taken a number of critical steps to protect Michigan families, and this order today will allow that work to continue. We will keep monitoring the data closely and work with our partners across state government to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, ” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan's Chief Medical Officer said.
The order also lifted restrictions on golfing and motorized boating. However, it mandates that all Michiganders must now wear masks in public.
"We will consider this, the preliminary stage of economic re-engagement, we will measure. We will collect data. We will continue to ramp up our testing, and our tracing. And we will make informed decisions in the coming days about potential further economic re-engagement, but it depends on you," said Whitmer in Friday morning's briefing.
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