New Mandate: Two Weeks Of Self-Lockdown After 15 Minutes With Person Who Has Sore Throat

If a healthy person with no coronavirus symptoms spends 15 minutes within six feet of an individual who has a sore throat, they will now be expected to lock themself down for 14 days in their home, or until the individual with the sore throat gets a negative result on a COVID-19 test.

That is what a new Aug. 7 Michigan executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directs.

The self-lockdown must take place after close contact with an individual who displays any one of the symptoms listed in the executive order, which states: “The principal symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, a new uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, new onset of a severe headache, and new loss of taste or smell.”

Under the self-lockdown, people may not leave their home unless “absolutely necessary” to get food, medical supplies or medical care. Individuals are directed to obtain supplies by delivery and then pick them up at curbside if possible. The person under lockdown can go outside for specified activities.

The executive order does not apply to certain health care professionals, first responders, corrections workers and child care workers.