(LANSING) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a State of Disaster in Michigan.

On Wednesday Whitmer signed an Executive Order that recognizes the expanded scope of economic, educational and civic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 situation. It also equips the administration to fully address the devastation caused by coronavirus, and formally declares a state of disaster.

Whitmer says Michigan has taken some of the most aggressive measures in the country to mitigate the spread of coronavirus since the first confirmed case was reported three weeks ago. She says these actions will allow her administration to respond more effectively to every facet of the crisis.

In addition to issuing the Executive Order, Whitmer sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield requesting a concurrent resolution extending this declared state of emergency and disaster under the Executive Order by 70 days from the date of the resolution.