Dine-in restaurants, bars closed
LANSING (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is ordering that all restaurants and bars be closed to dine-in customers, effective at 3 p.m. Monday, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The businesses can stay open for takeout and delivery. A Whitmer spokeswoman said more details will be released soon.
The state reported 20 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday, bringing the Michigan total to 53. Included in the new positive tests is the first child, a boy in Oakland County, and the first in Ottawa County west of Grand Rapids.
Whitmer has declared a state emergency, closed all schools and prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people. She said Sunday she saw ìincredibly disturbing” photos on social media of patrons still cramming into establishments and not observing social distancing.
She hinted then at moving to restrict operations at food establishments.
Whitmer also signed an executive order Sunday in an attempt to curb excessive price increases of emergency supplies and food during the coronavirus outbreak, saying she was working to close Detroit’s three casinos and considering potentially closing all restaurants and bars across the state.
The state reported 20 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the Michigan total to 53. Included in the new positive tests is the first child, a boy in Oakland County, and the first in Ottawa County west of Grand Rapids.
Whitmer, who has declared a state emergency, closed all schools and prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people, said she saw “incredibly disturbing” photos on social media of patrons still cramming into establishments and not observing social distancing.
She urged residents to stagger their visits to groceries so they can restock shelves, and encouraged President Donald Trump to declare a federal disaster to help workers qualify for unemployment benefits as a result of the global pandemic. She also scrapped earlier guidance to do elbow bumps instead of handshakes and said to keep at least 6 feet between one another.
“We are going to get through this. But it’s going to require every one of us to do our part,” Whitmer said.
Her temporary measure, which takes effect Monday, restricts a person or business from reselling goods or products that are “grossly in excess of the purchase price of the product.” Also, a business or individuals cannot sell a product at more than 20% higher than the purchase price unless the increase is “due to bringing the product to market.”
A violation would be a misdemeanor. The restrictions are in place through April 13.
The Michigan attorney general’s office said it received more than 75 complaints of price-gouging.
“Businesses cannot and will not use this state of emergency as an economic opportunity,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel.




