While Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order extending the Stay Home, Stay Safe policy through May 15 including a requirement that employers provide face coverings to their workers, Attorney General Dana Nessel knows masks aren’t the easiest thing to get these days.
That’s why Nessel issued a statement Sunday uring law enforcement officials around the state to consider “good faith” efforts by owners when deciding on potential legal action.
“I know many business owners around the state are working hard to reopen and comply with the (order) … Securing appropriate face coverings by the Monday deadline, though, appears to be a difficult task for some businesses given limited supplies,” Nessel said in her statement. “Therefore, I am asking our law enforcement partners around the state to consider the good faith efforts of businesses that have tried, but have been unsuccessful, in obtaining appropriate face coverings when deciding whether to take criminal enforcement action against a non-compliant business.
While businesses “work diligently” to find appropriate face coverings to meet the requirements of the order, Nessel urged employees who can safely do so to “use their own face coverings as protection” until businesses provide face coverings as required by the order.
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“The Governor’s order requires that each of us – businesses and employees – work together to safely and successfully reopen our economy,” Nessel said. “We appreciate the cooperation of law enforcement, employers and employees as we strive to carefully and thoughtfully reopen our state, one step at a time.”
In her Friday press conference announcing the extension of Stay Home, Stay Safe, Whitmer said that, while residents can’t be fined for not wearing a face covering, businesses may refuse services to customers without face coverings.
