Politics

Maryland, Michigan Governors Increase Coronavirus Restrictions

No featured image available

The governors of Maryland and Michigan announced more coronavirus restrictions Monday as cases of the virus increase.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a Monday “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order that will go into effect at midnight, while Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered all nonessential businesses in his state to close by 5 p.m. Monday, according to NBC News.

“Today, I am issuing a ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ Executive Order,” Whitmer tweeted.

She added: “It goes into effect tonight at midnight. The goal here is simple: Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. If we all stay at home, except for critical work and needs, we can mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

Today, I am issuing a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order. It goes into effect tonight at midnight.

The goal here is simple: Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. If we all stay at home, except for critical work and needs, we can mitigate the spread of COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/JxH3HYCdsE

— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) March 23, 2020

Hogan’s order to close nonessential businesses is intended to protect state residents and to save lives, NBC reported. Police will enforce the state’s bans on gatherings of 10 or more people, but Maryland will reportedly not issue a shelter-in-place or stay-at-home order at this time.

“Unless you have an essential reason to leave your house, stay home,” Hogan said.

The governor emphasized the importance of social distancing to residents earlier in March, saying, “Let me be very clear. If you are engaged in this type of activity, you are in violation of state law and you are endangering the lives of your fellow Marylanders.”