Michigan Eases Visitation Rules In Hospitals; Rolls Back Orders

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday rolled back a number of coronavirus-related executive orders, easing restrictions on FOIA requests and hospital capacity, while the state Department of Health and Human Services eased hospital visitation rules.

The move comes as Michigan continues toward the next phase in Whitmer's MI Safe Start plan of reopening the state's economy, much of which had closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

“As we slowly and safely reopen our economy, it’s important to roll back emergency orders designed to deal with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Whitmer said. “By rolling back executive orders, and allowing more people to visit their loved ones in hospitals, it sends a clear signal we are making progress in the fight against COVID-19 and continue to move in a positive direction.”

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Executive Order 2020-38, which extends certain FOIA deadlines due to the coronavirus, will be rescinded at midnight on June 11.

Executive Order 2020-39, which provided temporary relief from certain restrictions and requirements governing the provision of emergency medical services, and Executive Order 2020-82, which provided temporary enhancements to operational capacity and efficiency of health care facilities, have been rescinded immediately.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon issued an epidemic order that allows expanded visitation in hospitals, outpatient clinics and doctor’s offices.

“Sometimes a visitor can be just the medicine a hospitalized patient needs to help them through their recovery,” Gordon said. “As long as strong precautions are taken to help ensure the health and safety of visitors, patients and staff, this order allows for exceptions to those restrictions.”

Those facilities are required to continue to same some precautionary measures, such as limiting visitor entrances that allow proper screening and signage instructing visitors to be assessed for coronavirus symptoms.

A full list of restrictions can be viewed here.