(LANSING) – Michigan's epidemic order has been extended once again.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday they have extended the epidemic order through May 24. It preserves the strongest public health order in the Midwest, and is designed to balance day to day activities while also controlling the spread of COVID-19 and save the lives of Michiganders.
The epidemic order also includes the expansion of mask requirements to children ages 2 to 4 to further protect the State's residents. Expanding the mask rule to children ages 2 to 4 requires a good faith effort to ensure that these children wear masks while in gatherings at childcare facilities or camps. It goes into effect on April 26, and addresses the increase in cases among younger Michiganders and follows recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
Although progress has been made, it is crucial that Michiganders continue to mask up and socially distance as the State takes steps to get back to normal.
Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Director says Michigan continues to implement smart health policies and mitigation measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. That includes the requirement to wear a mask while in public and at gatherings, limits on indoor residential social gatherings larger than 15 people with no more than three households, and expanded testing requirements for youth sports.
Hertel say additionally, the most important thing people can do right now is to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their families, and help eliminate this virus once and for all.
Recent statistics show that the rate of increase has been declining over the last several weeks, but the presence of more infectious variants threaten that progress. In addition positivity rates have been up for the last several weeks in Michigan,
As of Friday, 29.5% of Michigan residents 16 and older had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and 44% had received at least a first dose.
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