Effective a 3:15 p.m. Thursday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a new pandemic health order in response to sharply-rising COVID-19 case numbers. According to the order, as many as 3,000 new cases per day have been reported recently, eclipsing a 2,000-per-day count peak that occurred in March, and up sharply from a 200-per-day rate in mid-June. The positivity rate of tests stands at about 5.5 percent, up from a two percent rate during the slower, summer period.
The new order will remain in effect until HHS removes it. The order’s language limits the number of attendees that may gather at indoor and outdoor gatherings in a variety of settings, particularly those where health officials have observed the most rapid spread of the virus. The order requires masks at all non-residential venues. Hosts must plan gathering spaces in order to facilitate social distancing. The order prohibits gatherings of any kind at certain business types and sports facilities.
Additionally, the order increases the misdemeanor fines and penalties attached to a conviction related to pandemic restrictions. It also adds contact tracing requirements under which certain businesses must record patrons’ names and contact information. The order builds upon earlier HHS orders detailing pandemic restrictions after the Michigan Supreme Court in early October nullified a series of Executive Orders issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer since the early weeks of the pandemic.
Although many law enforcement agencies are declining to actively seek violators to pandemic orders, most say they will respond to complaints regarding trouble with people who respond aggressively to businesses’ requests for compliance. The state of Michigan maintains a webpage where information on compliance and reporting of violations can be found.
Meanwhile, in a press release issued Thursday, the Office of the St. Joseph County Administrator announced that the county’s Courts Building is closed to the public. The building is an annex to the main, historic courthouse building, which will remain open for the time being.
The closure is a result of a courts system pandemic phase change, and according to Thursday’s press release, it is pursuant to a document called the “Michigan State Courts Returning to Full Capacity Guide.”
The release said, “the St. Joseph County Courts have returned to Phase 2 due to an upward trajectory of Covid 19 cases in St. Joseph County. To conduct business with the various court departments, please call the respective department.” A copy of the Local Administrative Order calling for the return to Phase 2 is viewable on the St. Joseph County website.
This article has been updated since it was first published to include additional enforcement details.
Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.
