State health officials extend mask, public gathering rules

The mask mandate is still in effect. So are rules limiting the size of public gatherings. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) re-issued those rules on Monday just days after the state Supreme Court struck down the governor’s ability to issue the same restrictions.

The head of the MDHHS, Robert Gordon, said the department is trying to maintain the status quo to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The MDHHS has the authority to issue public health orders under a section of the public health code, which states:

“If the director determines that control of an epidemic is necessary to protect the public health, the director by emergency order may prohibit the gathering of people for any purpose and may establish procedures to be followed during the epidemic to insure continuation of essential public health services and enforcement of health laws.”

There are several of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders that the MDHHS does not have the authority to continue. Among them is the governor’s order closing bars.

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