Oakland Health Order extended in alignment with state and CDC

Oakland County Health Officer Leigh Anne Stafford has issued Health Order 2020-10, which extends the provisions in Health Order 2020-7 to include newly opened businesses. It requires daily screening of employees for symptoms and the wearing of face coverings and is aligned with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s orders and guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention for any employees who encounter the public.

“As we begin a phased re-opening of the economy, it is vital that the strict protocols we have in place extend to all open businesses,” County Executive David Coulter said. “These protocols protect employees and customers and they will reassure the public that every step is being taken to prevent a second spike of the virus as we shift to new phases of re-opening our economy.”

The order, which takes effect immediately, also requires compliance with social distancing measures in previous orders. Exempt from this order are healthcare organizations with an infection control program.

Screening procedures for employees include checking for fever, preferably with a no-touch thermometer; shortness of breath, and other symptoms such as chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell and/or diarrhea (excluding diarrhea due to known medical reason), and extreme fatigue. The screener must also ask whether the employee has travelled internationally or outside of Michigan in the last 14 days. The Health Order outlines the steps to take when an employee answers yes to any of these questions.

“Oakland County residents have been so supportive practicing social distancing to flatten the curve and slow the transmission of COVID-19,” Health Officer Leigh-Anne Stafford said. “While social distancing plays a key role in continuing to reduce transmission, face coverings and employee screenings will be essential as businesses reopen according to the governor's orders.”

Persons should not utilize N95 rated masks or surgical masks, as those are critical supplies for healthcare workers, police, fire, EMS, emergency management, or other persons engaged in life/saving activities. Businesses are required to post the Health Order at the entrance of their buildings and make it available to members of the public by all reasonable means available.