(TAN): United States’ Michigan state has extended its stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the virus, while also prohibiting people to travel between residences, reports said.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer reportedly issued the order which will go into effect starting today.
Under the ban, the state’s residents will no longer be allowed to visit friends, relatives or their second homes or vacation rentals inside Michigan, as per reports. However, they will be able to do so in exceptional cases such as while caring for an elderly friend, relative, or pet, visiting a nursing home, or fulfilling a court order pertaining to child custody, or attending a funeral with a maximum of 10 individuals, reports said.
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“All public and private gatherings of any size are prohibited. People can still leave the house for outdoor activities,” Governor Whitmer was quoted by Detroit Free Press as saying.
She reportedly added “recreational activities are still permitted as long as they’re taking place outside of six feet from anyone else”.
According to reports, people will still be permitted to return home from outside the state, or leave Michigan to go home elsewhere. The order, which will reportedly expire on May 1, also requires big box stores to close units selling items such as carpet and flooring, furniture, gardening and paint that are considered nonessential by the state.
Individuals will reportedly be fined up to USD 1,000 if found disobeying the order.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, Michigan reported 22,434 cases, the third highest in the United States, which includes 609 deaths.
“Michigan has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and we’re still on the upswing. We must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread and protect our families,” Governor Whitmer was quoted by The Washington Times as saying.
“Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe. That’s good, but we must keep it up. When we do, we can save lives and shorten the amount of time we’re working through this crisis, which will be good for our families and good for our economy in the long-run,” she added.
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