The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that people can face up to $1,000 in fines if state executive orders to social distance are not followed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Please take social distancing seriously. Your life could depend on it…
To help control the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon issued an Emergency Order today setting a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and a process for referral to licensing agencies for violations of Executive Orders 2020-11, 2020-20 and 2020-21.
“A person can have coronavirus without knowing it,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “They can spread the disease to others who can spread it to others. The only way to stop the spread is social distancing. A civil penalty and potential licensing actions send a strong message to Michiganders that social distancing is essential to saving lives.”
State officials add that criminal penalties for violation will also remain an option for prosecutors in these instances.
“There is not a vaccine or a recognized treatment for COVID-19 and our healthcare system is being severely taxed by this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We need people to heed the Stay Home, Stay Safe order as well as other orders issued by the Governor to protect the health and safety of all Michiganders.”
