(WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a new executive order which imposes temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures.
Executive Order 2020-17 will go into effect as soon as possible but no later than March 21, 2020.
The executive order says that hospitals, freestanding surgical outpatient facilities, dental facilities and all state-operating outpatient facilities must implement a plan to temporarily postpone all non-essential procedures.
“My number one priority remains to flatten the curve and protect the most people we can from the spread of coronavirus,” Governor Whitmer said. “Our health care workers are on the front lines every day protecting Michiganders during these extraordinary and difficult times. By postponing all non-essential medical and dental procedures, we expect to reduce the strain on the health care system and protect people. My administration will continue to do everything we can to mitigate the spread of the disease and ensure our children, families, and businesses have the support they need during these challenging times.”
Facilities must postpone procedures like joint replacement, bariatric surgery and cosmetic surgery, except for emergency or trauma-related surgery where postponement would impact the health of the patient.
These facilities should exclude from postponement advanced cardiovascular disease (including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias) that would prolong life; oncological testing, treatment, and related procedures; pregnancy-related visits and procedures; labor and delivery; organ transplantation; and procedures related to dialysis.
Postponed dental procedures include any cosmetic or aesthetic procedures, like veneers, teeth bleaching or cosmetic bonding; all routine hygiene appointments; any orthodontic procedures that do not relieve pain or infeciton, restore oral function or are not trauma-related; initiation of any crowns, bridges or dentures that do not relieve pain or infection, restore oral function or are not trauma-related; any periodontal plastic surgery.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
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.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.