NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Macomb County Sheriff: We won't be issuing citations to people not wearing masks

Posted at 4:37 PM, Jul 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-13 22:39:16-04

MACOMB COUNTY (WXYZ) — The Macomb County Sheriff's Office clarified some confusion spreading across social media following Gov. Gretchen Whitmers order requiring masks be worn indoors and at crowded outdoor spaces. The new mandate comes with a $500 fine if the order isn't followed. However, sheriff's deputies in Macomb County won't be issuing any citations to those non in compliance.

RELATED: Order requiring masks at indoor spaces, crowded outdoor spaces goes into effect today

"Reading through comments, it seems there is a lot of confusion," read a post on the Macomb County Sheriff's Office Facebook page on Monday. "Just to clarify, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office will NOT be issuing citations to those not wearing a mask, those who wish to make a complaint will be referred to the Attorney General’s Office.

The order went into effect Monday, July 13. The sheriff's office says that it will instead treat reports of customers not wearing masks at businesses as a trespassing complaint.

"If a business wishes to enforce this order, they may require patrons to wear a mask," the post goes on to say. "If the patron refuses, the business may ask them to leave their eatablishment. If the patron refuses, the business may contact us and we will treat it as a trespassing complaint. We hope this clears up any confusion.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.

Visit our The Rebound Detroit, a place where we are working to help people impacted financially from the coronavirus. We have all the information on everything available to help you through this crisis and how to access it.