Whitmer: State Departments Needs To Enforce Coronavirus Orders

MICHIGAN — An executive order signed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen 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. “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.”

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Cases have risen over the past month, the governor's office said, from a rolling seven-day average of about 15 cases per million on in mid-June, the low point since the peak last April, to about 50 cases per million in late July. On Tuesday, the state eclipsed the 84,000 total case mark.

Whitmer said that without effective enforcement, Michigan will move backward, causing people and the state's economy to suffer. To date, several law enforcement agencies across the state have said they would not go out of their way to enforce the orders.

Related: MI Barber Stays Open Amid Pandemic: Who Enforces Stay-Home Order?

The order stipulates that when law enforcement becomes aware of violations, they must consider it to be presumptive evidence of a "public health hazard" or "imminent and substantial hazard to the public heath." Potential consequences for violating guidelines could include the license suspensions or cessation of operation, according to the order.