To combat the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, Governor Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order.
For at least the next three weeks, all Michigan businesses and operations must temporarily suspend in-person
operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life, and all Michiganders must stay in their homes unless they’re
a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the
health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.
YOU CAN:
• Go to the grocery store or pick up take-out food.
• Go to the pharmacy to pick up a needed prescription.
• Engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running, biking.
• Go to the hospital or secure any care necessary to address a medical emergency or to preserve your health or
the health of a loved one.
• Fill your car with gas.
• Return to Michigan to a home or place of residence from outside the State.
• Leave the State for a home or residence elsewhere.
• Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian for needed medical care.
YOU MAY NOT:
• Leave the home to work unless your employer designates you as a critical infrastructure worker.
• Participate in any public gatherings.
• Visit someone in the hospital, nursing home, or other residential care facilities (with limited exceptions).
• Go to the mall or to restaurants.
BUSINESSES THAT REMAIN OPEN FOR IN-PERSON WORK MUST TAKE AGGRESSIVE STEPS TO MINIMIZE THE VIRUS’S
SPREAD. THEY MUST:
• Promote remote work to the fullest extent possible.
• Restrict the number of workers present in-person on the job.
• Keep employees at least six feet from one another to the maximum extent possible and enabling social
distancing for customers who are standing in line.
• Any other social distancing practices and mitigation measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus
and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
For those who have questions about the state’s actions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, please call the COVID-19
Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8AM – 5PM daily
Click The Link above for Saginaw Specific Info
- For individuals making up to $75,000 or married couples making up to $150,000 annually, the federal government will issue direct payments of $1,200 per working adult and an additional $500 for each child.
- The value of the direct payment begins decreasing and then phases out completely as incomes further exceed the full payment cap.
- Extends benefits for an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded unemployment insurance for those that qualify.
- Expands access to federal unemployment insurance for part-time, self-employed, and gig-economy workers.
- Increases weekly payment amount.
- Provides loan forgiveness grants to small businesses and non-profits, allowing them to maintain their existing workforce and helping to pay for other expenses like rent, mortgages, and utilities.
- Offers Small Business Administration (SBA) emergency grants up to $10,000 for immediate operating costs.
- Covers 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans.
- Supplies personal protective equipment for health care workers, testing supplies, increased workforce training, and resources for emergency health care facilities to house patients.
- Encourages employers to implement student loan repayment programs for their employees by excluding up to $5,250 in qualifying payments for income tax purposes.
Statewide Coronavirus Hotline — (888) 535-6136
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched a statewide hotline to respond to your health-related questions about COVID-19. The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public health and other experts will answer your questions and direct you to the resources available in your local communities and in other state government departments.
Expanding Access to Telemedicine
Michigan residents receiving Medicaid benefits can now take advantage of telemedicine health services from their home. In addition, most major health insurers have announced that they will cover and encourage the use of virtual care, while waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing. Call your health care provider for more information.
Expanding Unemployment Benefits
Beginning Monday, March 16, until Tuesday, April 14, Michigan is temporarily expanding unemployment benefit eligibility to those affected by COVID-19. Benefits will be extended to:
Workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, like child care due to school closures or caring for a loved one who is ill;
Workers who are sick, quarantined or immunocompromised, and do not have access to paid leave time or are laid off; and
First responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined.
Benefits will also be extended from 20 to 26 weeks, the eligibility period would be increased from 14 to 28 days, and the normal in-person registration and work search requirements will be suspended.
K-12 School Closures
Beginning Monday, March 16, until Sunday, April 5, all K-12 school buildings, public, private, and boarding, are closed. Childcare facilities will remain open during this time, whether they are attached to schools or free standing.
Combating Price Gouging
Effective Monday, March 16, until Monday, April 13, Michigan is cracking down on businesses and individuals that engage in price gouging on consumer food items, emergency supplies, and other goods and materials. Residents are urged to report any price gouging or other violations of the Consumer Protection Act online by clicking here or by calling (877) 765-8388.
Legislative Services
Although the Michigan House of Representatives has recently issued new policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Capitol, my staff and I are still available to assist you! Never hesitate to reach out to me at VanessaGuerra@house.mi.gov or by phone at (517) 373-0152. Since most staff is required to work remotely at this time, you may need to leave a message, but we will respond to you as quickly as possible.
