LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer says no employee should be working in-person if their job can be done remotely.
During a press conference, the governor announced that next week the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) will issue an order, forcing companies to have remote work plans.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says hospitalizations have nearly quadrupled since August. There are 590 COVID-19 outbreaks across the state, the largest number since the state began tracking outbreaks. The trend is concerning.
“We have models that are showing if we don’t do anything else if we don’t change our behaviors we could be seeing up to 100 deaths a day by the end of December,” said Khaldun.
“No Michigander should be worried about catching this virus at work,” said Gov. Whitmer.
The governor says MIOSHA will tell companies across Michigan that if employees can do their jobs remotely, they should or the company could face fines.
“Employers should create a policy prohibiting in-person work for employees to the extent that their work activities can feasibly be completed remotely.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she has also written this letter to the state legislature - calling on it to pass a law that echoes the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services mask mandate. She says it is important to send the message - wearing a mask is ceasing to be a political issue.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey’s spokesperson Amber McCann responded saying, “DHHS orders already require masks and limit the size of gatherings. The Majority Leader has repeatedly expressed his desire to help educate, inform, and inspire the public about the need for wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing. In fact, today Senator Shirkey met with a group of physicians about responding to COVID in Michigan at the same time the Governor held her press conference.”