Executive Order 2020-176
Safe Start - Rescission of Executive Orders 2020-160 and 2020-162
Q: How is “indoors” defined for the purposes of Executive Order 2020-176?
A: As used in the order, “indoors” means within a space enclosed on fully or partially on the top and fully or partially on the sides. Indoor spaces therefore include most buildings (including barns and garages), vehicles (including tour or party busses), and temporary structures (including tents or canopies with side walls or coverings).
Q: What is a "social gathering" or "organized event"?
A: A social gathering or organized event is one that brings together persons from multiple households at the same time for a discrete, shared or group experience in a single room, space, or place such as a private home, park, auditorium, stadium, arena, conference room, meeting hall, or other indoor or outdoor space.
These limitations on group size do not generally apply to preK-12 schools or day or summer camps, whose rules regarding regular attendance and participation are instead governed by Executive Order 2020-142 on public education and guidance issued by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. These limitations do apply, however, to organized events that may occur in such settings, such as assemblies.
Q: What are the guest limits for weddings, receptions, or other social events held at a restaurant/banquet hall?
A. These events are subject to the limitations of Executive Order 2020-176. Accordingly, if the event is outdoors and among people not part of the same household, it may not exceed 100 people if in regions 1,2,3,4,5, and 7; and 250 people if in regions 6 and 8. If the event is indoors and among people not part of the same household in regions 1,2,3,4,5 and 7, it may not exceed 10 people. In all cases, people not part of the same household must maintain six feet of distance from one another during the event.
The separate capacity limits applicable to restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs, and like places do not allow for larger social gatherings or events to take place by reason of the fact that they are held at such venues. A central risk of a large social gathering or event is that the people who have congregated for that gathering or event will interact with one another over a long period of time. That same level of risk is not present among people who happen to be in the same establishment and are seated at different tables.
Q: In Regions at Phase 5 of the Safe Start plan, what limitations apply to indoor social gatherings and organized events in places of public accommodation?
A: The exception in section 8(b) of the Safe Start order for places of public accommodation allows indoor social gatherings and organized events to occur, limited to 25% of the maximum capacity of the venue or 250 people, whichever is smaller.
Q: Are funerals allowed under Executive Order 2020-176?
A: Yes. Under the order people may leave their home to attend a funeral, provided that no more than 10 people are in attendance, this applies to all indoor funeral-related activities. Any outdoor funeral-related activities are permitted so long as people maintain six feet of distance from one another and the assemblage consists of no more than 100 people if in regions 1,2,3,4,5, and 7; and no more than 250 people if in regions 6 and 8.
Q: Does Executive Order 2020-176 prohibit persons from engaging in outdoor activities that are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution?
A: No. Persons may engage in expressive activities protected by the First Amendment within the State of Michigan, but must adhere to social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including remaining at least six feet from people from outside the person’s household.
Q: Does Executive Order 2020-176 restrict the exercise of tribal treaty rights?
A: No. Executive Order 2020-176 does not restrict activities by tribal members to exercise their federal treaty rights within the boundaries of their treaty territory (also known as “ceded territory”). These activities may be subject to restrictions imposed by tribal authorities.
Q: What does the term “indoor dance area” mean for the purposes of Section 3(d) of Executive Order 2020-176?
A: Indoor dance area is defined as an area within a place of public accommodation that offers space to dance as a form of amusement or recreation, which includes dance floors within bars, dance clubs, and strip clubs. This does not include dance studios or facilities used for the purposes of dance as an organized sport.
Q: In Regions at Phase 5 of the Safe Start plan, what limitations apply to indoor social gatherings and organized events in places of public accommodation?
The exception in section 8(b) of the Safe Start order for places of public accommodation allows indoor social gatherings and organized events to occur, limited to 25% of the maximum capacity of the venue or 250 people, whichever is smaller.
