MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-9, temporarily closing all theaters, casinos, bars, and other public spaces in the state of Michigan starting at 3pm on Monday, March 16. However, restaurants will still be able to offer carry-out and delivery orders. This announcement comes just one day after the Ingham County Health Department issued a statement stating that legal occupancy at all restaurants, bars, and other food service establishments would be reduced by 50%.

This executive order also applies to the following places: restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, taverns, brewpubs, distilleries, clubs, movie theaters, indoor and outdoor performance venues, gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, and spas.

However, this order does not apply to the following locations: office buildings, grocery stores, markets, food pantries, pharmacies, drug stores, and providers of medical equipment and supplies, health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities, warehouse and distribution centers, and industrial and manufacturing facilities.

“This disease is a challenge unlike any we’ve experienced in our lifetimes,” said Governor Whitmer. “Fighting it will cause significant but temporary changes to our daily lives. By practicing social distancing and taking aggressive action now, the state is working to mitigate the spread of coronavirus so we reduce the risk that our health care system becomes overwhelmed. This is about saving lives. Michiganders are tough and we are going to get through this, but it will require everyone doing their part. That means making smart choices and not putting yourself or others at risk by going out in public unless it is absolutely necessary.”

This order will remain in place until Monday, March 20 at 11:59pm.