LANSING, Mich — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a 'stay home, stay safe' executive order Monday which in part means students will not be returning to school until at least April 13.
Previously, school buildings were going to reopen Monday, April 6. However, the stay-at-home order will not be lifted until 11:59 p.m. on April 13 — meaning students will not be returning to school until after that date.
Whitmer announced the extension during a press conference Monday morning.
“The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home,” Whitmer said during the news conference. “I know this will be hard, but it will be temporary. If we all come together, get serious and do our part by staying home, we can stay safe and save lives.”
Whitmer closed all Michigan K-12 schools, including all public, private and boarding schools, earlier this month to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Last week, a memo from the Michigan Department of Education stated any time students spend learning during the mandated school closure will not count toward their required hours. Many schools switched to virtual learning, but the state clarified to superintendents there is no way to continue education during the closures.
Under state law, schools must have 75% student attendance each day in order for a district to receive full funding for that day. There is no current set up to track and verify attendance in distance learning situations that many schools have adapted.
Michigan has more than 1,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and is reporting a total of 15 deaths, according to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Joneigh S. Khaldun.
STATE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COVID-19
Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.
RELATED VIDEO:
MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS:
- THE BUS STOP IS A 'START': School buses deliver food to community during COVID-19 outbreak
- Coping with school closures | Advice from a licensed psychologist
- Coronavirus outbreak not breaking learning at Grand Rapids West Catholic High School
- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issues stay-at-home order to curb virus
- Grand Valley State University science programs donate 90,000 gloves to Spectrum Health
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
