Michigan Extends COVID-19 Rules, Expands Mask Mandate To Children

LANSING, MI — Michigan has expanded its mask requirements to children as young as 2, according to an epidemic order announced by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Friday.

The order also extends mask requirements, capacity restrictions and some size limitations on gatherings amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release issued by the state.

Children ages 2-4 are now included in the state's mask mandate beginning April 26. They had previously been exempt from the state's mask mandates.

"Michigan continues to implement smart health policies and mitigation measures to fight the spread of COVID-19,” MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement Friday. “This includes the requirement to wear a mask while in public and at gatherings, limits on indoor residential social gatherings larger than 15 people with no more than three households, and expanded testing requirements for youth sports. Additionally, the most important thing people can do right now is to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their families, and help us eliminate this virus once and for all.”

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The order extends the requirements for five weeks, expiring on May 24. The initial orders were set to expire on Monday.

Under the extended orders, indoor residential gatherings in Michigan are limited to 15 people from up to three households. Outdoor gatherings can include up to 50 people.

Non-residential gatherings indoor and outdoor are restricted to 25 and 300 people, respectively.

"Expanding the mask rule to children ages 2 to 4 requires a good faith effort to ensure that these children wear masks while in gatherings at childcare facilities or camps," the state said in its release.

Health officials said that 29.5 percent of Michiganders 16 and older have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as of Friday, with 44 percent having at least received their first dose.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan's chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said the state is well on its way to vaccinating at least 70 percent of adults, but added that she remains concerned about the state's COVID-19 data in recent weeks.

"We are still very much fighting this pandemic and seeing concerning trends in new cases and hospitalizations," she said. "Michiganders need to be using every tool in our toolbox right now to get these cases and hospitalizations down. Just because something is open and legal does not mean you should be doing it. We all must continue doing what works to slow the spread of the disease by wearing masks, washing our hands, avoiding crowds and indoor gatherings, and making plans to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.”

Michigan got some reinforcements in its battle against the virus, with more than $6.3 million coming its way from the White House to combat the spread of multiple COVID-19 variants.

The original COVID-19 strain makes up about half of all cases across the U.S., officials said Friday. New and potentially dangerous strains of the coronavirus make up the other half.