The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has updated the Gatherings and Face Mask Order (New Order). The December 18, 2020, Gatherings and Face Mask Order (Prior Order) has been modified and extended through January 31, 2021. The New Order is effective on Saturday, January 16, 2021.
There are relatively few modifications in the New Order as compared to the Prior Order. Indoor residential gatherings remain limited to 10 people and two households, and restaurants remain closed for indoor dining. However, certain additional indoor activities where individuals can remain masked are now permitted. These indoor activities include indoor group fitness, exercise, non-contact sports, laser tag, trampoline parks and roller and ice rinks (except for organized contact sports), provided that masks are worn at all times, restricted capacity limits are followed and all persons maintain at least six feet of distance from others at all times.
Gathering Restrictions for Recreational Facilities
In addition to continuing to permit gatherings at “lower risk recreational facilities,” the New Order permits gatherings at “moderate risk recreational facilities,” which consist of recreational facilities where there is not physical contact among participants, there is minimal interaction between households participating in the activities, masks can be worn and the activities involve a significant degree of exhalation or physical exertion indoors.
Laser tag and trampoline parks are included, provided they take the necessary precautions to avoid potential physical contact among participants.
These are the requirements for gatherings at both low and moderate risk recreational facilities:
- Organizers must not permit persons to mingle with others from outside of their household.
- Household groups consist of no more than six persons.
- If participating in stationary activities, households are spaced or seated at least six feet apart.
- If participating in non-stationary activities, participants maintain at least six feet of distance from others at all times and physical contact between participants is prohibited.
- No food or beverages are sold or consumed on the premises.
- Venues comply with the following capacity limits:
- For venues with fixed seating, occupancy must not exceed 20% of the limits established by the state fire marshal or a local fire marshal.
- For venues with non-fixed seating, occupancy is limited to 20 persons per 1,000 square feet, including within any distinct space within the venue.
- For all venues, no more than 100 persons may be gathered within any distinct space within the venue, except at stadiums and arenas hosting sporting events as provided in section 6, in which case, up to 250 persons may be gathered.
Organized Sports
Gathering for the purpose of non-contact sports are now permitted, provided that:
- Gatherings do not exceed 25% of the total occupancy limits established by the state fire marshal or a local fire marshal; and
- Participants maintain six feet of distance from each other at all times.
Contact organized sports remain prohibited unless all participants, teams and venues comply with the enhanced testing regimen specified in the Additional Mitigation Measures for Safer Athletic Practice and Play without the use of Face Coverings section of MDHHS guidance on Additional Measures for Safer Athletic Practice and Play, or a school is participating in a MDHHS testing pilot program.
Helpful Links
In addition, below are links to various summaries issued by the MDHHS:
- Social Gathering Guidance
- Dec. 18 Gatherings Order Infographic
- Dec. 18 Capacity Limits Flyer
- Safe Social Pods Guidance
- Key Metrics Infographic
- Outdoor Seating Guidance
You can also find information at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
The state’s approach to the COVID-19 vaccine is available here: Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.
Warner continues to follow COVID-19 updates. For additional information or questions about the New Order or any COVID-19-related issues, please contact a member of our COVID-19 service team: Michael Azzi, Amanda Fielder, Monique Field-Foster, Matthew Johnson or Ford Turrell.
