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Michigan's 2nd-biggest county requires masks after ruling

Oakland County Health Officer Leigh-Anne Stafford cited her authority to take emergency steps to control an epidemic under a 1978 state law.

Credit: AP

Dr. Farhan Bhatti, of Lansing, from left, Nurse Practitioner Amanda Wilson, of Lansing, and Dr. Jan Liu of Shiawassee County, look on in opposition as Unlock Michigan rallies in Lansing, Mich. Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. The Michigan group on Friday submitted petition signatures in a bid to repeal a law that has given Gov. Gretchen Whitmer broad emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic, demanding that the veto-proof initiative be put before the Republican-led Legislature before the year's end. (Rod Sanford/Detroit News via AP)

LANSING, Mich. — The health department in Michigan’s second-largest county has issued an order requiring residents to wear masks when they leave their homes.

The move Saturday came a day after the state Supreme Court struck down a law used by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to mandate face coverings and issue sweeping restrictions to curb the coronavirus.

The step also came after a Republican legislative leader declared that he opposes continuing the Democratic governor’s statewide mask requirement.

RELATED: Michigan Supreme Court strikes down governor’s virus orders

Oakland County Health Officer Leigh-Anne Stafford cited her authority to take emergency steps to control an epidemic under a 1978 state law, calling it her “solemn responsibility."

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