The claim: Michigan does not have an executive order requiring people to wear masks
As more people are inoculated against COVID-19 and the pace of new cases slows, some states are lifting mask mandates and other restrictions meant to curb the spread of the virus.
In Michigan, a social media user pointed out this week that the state is not operating under an executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to require face coverings.
“There are NO Executive Orders for Masks in Michigan!” the user wrote in a March 10 post in the Michigan Needs an Adjustment group that has about 68,000 members.
That is technically true, but Michigan still has a statewide mask mandate. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency order on Oct. 5, 2020, requiring masks any time people from two or more households gather together.
The Facebook user who made the claim did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Michigan’s mask mandate
Michigan has been operating under some form of a mask mandate since July 10, 2020, when Whitmer signed an executive order requiring people to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when they leave their homes.
Whitmer issued another executive order a week later to clarify that businesses should not assume customers who are not wearing face masks had a valid exception. It said they could “accept a customer’s verbal representation to that effect,” according to The Detroit Free Press.
Whitmer used emergency powers to issue those executive orders and others during the COVID-19 crisis, but the Michigan Supreme Court sided with state lawmakers in October in a lawsuit challenging those orders.
In response, Whitmer’s administration implemented similar policies under state health department orders, according to The Detroit News. On Oct. 5, the health department’s first mask mandate was signed and set to expire on Oct. 30.
Since then, the department has continuously updated with new health orders each month.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich. (Photo: Michigan Office of the Governor via AP)
What does the current health order say?
Under the most recent mask order, people in Michigan must wear face coverings any time at least two people from more than one household gather together. It applies both indoors and outside.
Transportation providers and other businesses also must require face masks, according to the order, and businesses must ask those who don’t wear one whether they qualify under one of the state’s exceptions.
The 12 exceptions to the order include those who “cannot medically tolerate a face mask,” are eating or drinking, exercising while maintaining at least 6 feet of social distance from others, or are “engaging in a religious service.”
It runs from March 5 until April 19.
President Joe Biden said it's a “big mistake” for states to lift pandemic restrictions and mask mandates. (Photo: USA TODAY)
Our rating: Missing context
The claim that Michigan does not have an executive order requiring people to wear masks is MISSING CONTEXT. While it is true that the Michigan governor’s office does not have an active executive order instituting a statewide mask mandate, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued its own order to require face coverings at gatherings.
Our fact-check sources:
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Oct. 5, 2020, Emergency order requiring masks
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, July 10, 2020, Executive Order 2020-47
- Detroit Free Press, July 17, 2020, “Whitmer issues new executive order seeking to clarify Michigan’s face mask mandate”
- Detroit Free Press, Oct. 12, 2020, “Michigan Supreme Court strikes down Gov. Whitmer’s emergency orders, effective immediately”
- The Detroit News, Oct. 5, 2020, “Michigan health department issues mask mandate after high court nixes Whitmer’s orders”
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, accessed March 12, Rescinded emergency orders
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, accessed March 12, March 2, 2021 Gatherings and Face Mask Order
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