Gov. Whitmer Extends EOs Protecting Nursing Home Residents and Staff from COVID-19

Governor Whitmer has signed Executive Order 2020-179 to continue to protect frontline workers in long-term care facilities. Executive Order 2020-179 will carry on protections for both staff and residents by requiring strong health and safety precautions such as testing, cleaning and disinfecting, PPE, and social distancing.

Executive Order 2020-179 continues through September 30 and maintains the strong infection control protocols in nursing homes the governor put in place at the outset of this crisis, and protects residents from eviction and employees from retaliatory action for staying home when exhibiting symptoms. In addition to the executive orders implementing these protections, she has worked to procure tests and PPE to keep seniors safe, and to facilitate testing for all nursing home residents and staff, with little to no assistance from federal authorities.

This week the Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force issued several recommendations. The governor is reviewing those recommendations and will implement any changes as soon as that review is complete.