Nessel Focusing On MI Long-Term Care Facilities Violating Orders

MICHIGAN —Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is shifting her focus to long-term care facilities in Michigan that may be violating executive orders regarding safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Michigan AG said Thursday she is ramping up efforts to enforce executive orders signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that provide rules and procedures to long-care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living centers, in Michigan.

“Over the last several months, this virus has claimed more than 6,000 lives in Michigan and presented us with countless challenges that we have had to work together to overcome,” Nessel said. “My office is prepared to continue our role of enforcing the law as this virus lingers and as Michigan’s most vulnerable populations remain at risk. The measures outlined in Executive Order 2020-148 to protect those vulnerable populations and the people who care for them must be followed.”

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Whitmer has signed a bevy of executive orders outlining protections for residents at Michigan long-term care facilities. Orders signed by Whitmer, for example, prohibit residents to be evicted for non-payment during the pandemic. Other requirements include providing personal protective equipment to facility employees and sanitation requirements.

Willful violations of the orders mandating safety guidelines are considered a misdemeanor offense, which carry a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

“Across Michigan, nursing home staff, residents, and their families have made unprecedented sacrifices over the past four months to protect each other from the spread of COVID-19,” Whitmer said. “Their work has undoubtedly saved lives. However, if there are facilities in our state that are putting their residents and staff at risk by not following the rules, they must be held accountable.

"I’m grateful that the Attorney General is prepared to take action to ensure every long-term care facility is doing everything they can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable residents.”

Read More: Michigan Adds Over 650 New Coronavirus Cases, 2 Deaths

Whitmer recently called upon state departments to enforce her executive orders mandating specific guidelines in order to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. An executive order signed by Whitmer Tuesday requires state and local agencies to prioritize the enforcement of violations of coronavirus-related guidelines.

Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2020-08, which directs state departments and autonomous agency heads to review allocation of their resources to ensure that the enforcement of coronavirus-related laws is a priority. Guidelines cites in the order include capacity limitations and the requirement to wear masks when entering businesses.

"Ensuring these executive orders are enforced across the state will protect Michigan families, small businesses, and the first responders on the front lines of this crisis," Whitmer said at the time. "This fight is not over yet. During the month of July we saw an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in every region of the state. By allocating the appropriate and needed resources, we can continue to save lives and ensure we don't have to move backward."

Related: Whitmer: State Departments Needs To Enforce Coronavirus Orders

As of Monday, Michigan has recorded more than 2,000 resident deaths in long-term care facilities that have resulted from exposure to the coronavirus, with around 7,800 positive coronavirus cases emanating from people residing in those facilities, Nessel's office said. There have also been 22 deaths of staff members at long-term care facilities and more than 3,700 infected.