COVID-19 Information
Executive Orders
Protections for workers when they or their close contacts are sick are included in Executive Order 2020-36 with amendments included in Executive Order 2020-110:
The spirits buyback program for restaurants and bars throughout the state is detailed under Executive Order 2020-46 with amendments included in Executive Order 2020-110:
Executive Order 2020-110 lists details related the cancellation of the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order and can be found here:
An outline of requirements for the reopening of businesses, including constraints on bars and restaurants is included in Executive Order 2020-114:
Executive Order 147 requires that masks be work in all indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces. It also requires any business that is open to the public to refuse entry or service to people who refuse to wear a mask.
Executive Order 153 is a rescission of Executive Order 147 and requires that masks be work in all indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces. It also requires any business that is open to the public to refuse entry or service to people who refuse to wear a mask.This order clarifies that businesses may not assume that an unmasked customer cannot medically tolerate a face covering, though they can accept a customer's verbal representation to that effect. It also requires public safety officers to wear a face covering unless doing so would seriously interfere in the performance of their responsibilities, and clarifies that wearing a mask at a polling place for purposes of voting in an election is not required, but strongly suggested.
Michigan's state of emergency has been extended to September 4th under Executive Order 165.
Executive Order 172 protects workers from retaliation if they stay home when they or their close contacts are sick.
Executive Order 173 suspends certain signature and notary requirements in order to encourage electronic signatures for transactions.
Workplace safeguards applicable to all businesses, including a link to guidance provided by OSHA regarding the development of a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, is included in Executive Order 175.
Under Executive Order 176, restrictions on bars, liquor licenses, and public gatherings are addressed. Bars whose alcohol sales account for more than 70% of their gross receipts must remain closed to indoor service. Lottery ticket sales cannot be calculated in gross receipts. A gathering of no more than 10 people is allowed indoors and a gathering of no more than 100 people is allowed outdoors. This does not apply to "incidental gathering" in locations such as a restaurant or workplace.
Executive Orders 183 and 184 revise workplace safety and allow for additional businesses to open. Indoor theaters, cinemas, and performance venues, arcades, bowling centers, indoor climbing facilities, roller and ice rinks, trampoline parks, carnival and amusement rides, water parks, and other recreational facilities can be open with capacity restrictions beginning October 9th. Indoor events are limited to 500 people and outdoor events are limited to 30 people per 1,000 square feet. Performance venues and stadiums may operate at 20% seating capacity. Public accommodations, such as sports venues and entertainment facilities, performance venues, arcades, amusement parks and bowling centers must require the wearing of masks, use crowd limiting measures, frequently disinfect, and close all self-service food or beverage options.
Executive Directive 08 addresses the enforcement of the Governor's executive orders by state departments and agencies, including licensing implications.
Executive Directives with information regarding state spending and hiring can be accessed here: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90704---,00.html
To access all Executive Orders and directives, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus
Reopening in the Workplace
In addition to some of the resources listed below, AMOA members can take advantage of information on the Membership section of the AMOA webpage, accessible at https://www.amoa.com/covid19
OSHA offers guidelines to business owners regarding the COVID Preparedness and Response Plan required for operation here:
Sports and entertainment facilities guidance:
Workplace safety for sports and entertainment
General workplace safety guidance:
Sample COVID plans can be found here:
A list of FAQ's regarding liquor license holders and the Stay Home, Stay Safe order is found here: Coronavirus FAQ
Further resources can also be found at: AAMA Resources and MI Chamber Resources
Unemployment
Unemployment benefits have been extended to include self-employed workers and benefits have been expanded to all workers: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98158-523450--,00.html
The federal department of labor issued guidelines last week for employers related to sick time paid for workers during the pandemic, beginning April 1, 2020:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave
DOL also issued an answer guide to FAQ's related to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
Michigan's UIA is requesting the website, rather than the phone number, be used to register for benefits at:
The UIA also states that registering during off peak hours, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., is the best time to access the website.
The Unemployment Agency has guidelines for workers and for employers at:
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98179---,00.html
For employers, information related to the workshare program to allow employers to maintain operations versus laying off workers; as well as how employers should treat temporary layoffs is included in the following worksheet:
https://www.michigan.gov//documents/leo/Guidance_to_Employers_REV_684448_7.pdf
Federal Government
The federal government has recently taken action through three memorandums and one executive order which extended some enhanced unemployment benefits, taken steps to stop evictions, extended the suspension of student loan repayments and deferred payroll taxes.
Federal Executive Order on Homeowners and Renters Assistance
Memorandum on Student Loan Relief
Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Taxes
The Michigan page for employers, linked above, offers federal guidance, as well as guidance from the CDC for businesses and employers:
There is also a federal site related to small business loan information, including economic injury disaster loans:
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
As Executive Orders are updated and created and more guidance becomes available, MCMOA will apprise its members of the latest updates on this situation in an attempt to make certain our members are as informed as possible.