Effective on June 1, 2021
Q: What is considered "indoors" for the purposes of the statewide face mask rule?
A: "Indoors" means a structure that is fully or partially enclosed on the top and:
Indoor spaces, therefore, include most buildings (such as barns and garages), vehicles (such as buses and trains), and temporary structures (including tents or canopies with side walls or coverings).
Q: Beginning on June 1, 2021, when will face masks be required in Michigan?
A: Beginning on June 1, 2021, the statewide face mask rule will be as follows:
Local health departments, municipalities, establishments, employers, school districts, and event organizers may have additional face mask rules.
Even where it will not be required, MDHHS strongly recommends that individuals continue to wear a face mask in certain settings. For more information, please see MDHHS's Face Mask Recommendations (May 20, 2021).
Q: How is "face mask" defined under this Order?
A: Face mask means a tightly woven cloth or other multi-layer absorbent material that closely covers an individual's mouth and nose. Medical or surgical grade masks are included within this definition.
Scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, neck gaiters, plastic masks, and chin shields do not provide sufficient protection and are not considered "face masks" for the purpose of this Order. For more information, please see MDHHS's Face Coverings Guidance.
Q: May a face shield be worn in place of a face mask?
A: No. This Order does not permit and CDC does not recommend the use of face shields as a substitute for cloth face masks. However, a face shield covering the eyes, nose, and mouth can be worn in addition to a cloth mask if desired and in other settings where a face mask is not required.
Q: What face mask rules apply to schools during in-person instruction under this Order?
A: Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face mask at all times when indoors except when eating or drinking. MDHHS and CDC strongly recommend that fully vaccinated individuals continue to wear a face mask when inside school buildings. This Order does not require that face masks be worn when outdoors, but local health departments, school districts, and schools may adopt and enforce their own policies requiring all staff and students to wear a face mask. For more information, please see MDHHS's Face Coverings Guidance
Q: What face mask rules apply to organized sports under this Order?
A: Organized sports are permitted as follows:
All individuals ages 13 - 19 are prohibited from participating in organized sports unless they comply with the testing requirements in MDHHS's Guidance for Athletics (May 24, 2021). These requirements apply to both school and non-school sports. Participants who are fully vaccinated are not subject to the testing requirements unless they have COVID-19-like symptoms.
Local health departments, establishments, sports organizers, and school districts may have additional rules that must be followed and may require further testing, face masks, or other rules to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Even where it is not required, sports organizers are encouraged to administer a testing program as specified in MDHHS's Guidance for Athletics (May 24, 2021).
For more information about sports testing and face mask requirements, please see:
Q: Beginning on June 1, 2021, what rules will apply to indoor and outdoor residential gatherings?
A: Beginning on June 1, 2021, there will be no limit on the number of people who may gather at a residence - regardless of whether indoors or outdoors. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face mask at all times when indoors except when eating or drinking.
Q: Beginning on June 1, 2021, what rules will apply to outdoor non-residential gatherings?
A: Beginning on June 1, 2021, there will be no limit on the number of people who may gather together outdoors. Face masks will no longer be required when outdoors, but MDHHS and CDC recommend that individuals who are not fully vaccinated continue to wear a face mask in crowded outdoor settings.
Q: Beginning on June 1, 2021, what rules will apply to indoor non-residential gatherings?
A: Beginning on June 1, 2021, the overall capacity limit of an indoor establishment - including staff, patrons, and all other persons - will be limited to 25 people or 50% of the limits established by the fire marshal, whichever is greater. If the establishment does not have such a capacity limit, then the total occupancy is limited to 30 people per 1,000 square feet.
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face mask at all times when indoors except when eating or drinking. Although fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a face mask, an establishment may adopt and enforce its own policy requiring all patrons and employees to wear a face mask. For more information, please see MDHHS's Face Mask Recommendations (May 20, 2021).
Q: Beginning on June 1, 2021, what rules will apply to dining at establishments?
A: Beginning on June 1, 2021, there will no longer be a statewide limit on the number of patrons who dine together as a group. Similarly, there will no longer be a statewide prohibition on the intermingling of groups of patrons; as of June 1, 2021, MDHHS will strongly recommend (but not require) that tables/groups be spaced 6 feet apart. However, local health departments, municipalities, and establishments may adopt and enforce their own rules to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Q: Beginning on June 1, 2021, what rules will apply to exercise facilities?
A: Beginning on June 1, 2021, the overall capacity of an exercise facility - including staff, patrons, and all other persons - will be limited to 25 people or 50% of the limits established by the fire marshal, whichever is greater. If the establishment does not have such a capacity limit, then the total occupancy is limited to 30 people per 1,000 square feet.
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face mask at all times when indoors except when eating or drinking. Although fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a face mask, an establishment may adopt and enforce its own policy requiring all patrons and employees to wear a face mask. For more information, please see MDHHS's Face Mask Recommendations (May 20, 2021).
Q: Are in-person jury trials allowed?
A: This Order does not prohibit in-person jury trials; the decision on how to conduct judicial hearings is left to the court's discretion. Physical distancing and face masks are strongly encouraged.
Q: Are homeless shelters and warming centers subject to capacity restrictions under this Order?
A: No. The capacity restrictions under this Order do not apply to warming/cooling centers and homeless shelters. To the extent possible, all persons who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a face mask when indoors except when eating.
Q: Will this Order require a person to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19 or to isolate if they are infected with COVID-19?
A: MDHHS continues to recommend that people follow CDC guidelines on quarantining and isolation. This Order does not mandate either quarantine or isolation. Local health departments, however, may issue orders relating to quarantine or isolation under Michigan's Public Health Code. Other laws, including but not limited to Michigan's COVID-19 Employment Rights Act, may require observance of quarantine or isolation under certain circumstances.
Current MDHHS guidance and CDC guidance advise that fully vaccinated asymptomatic persons do not need to quarantine after exposure.
Q: Are schools permitted to go on field trips?
A: Yes. Where school-sponsored events take place off school grounds, they are subject to the rules and restrictions applicable to the hosting establishment. Everyone must comply with all applicable face mask and distancing requirements at all times.
Q: Are religious schools exempt from the face mask requirements or applicable capacity limits in this Order?
A: No. These requirements apply to all schools equally. However, students and staff engaging in religious worship at a designated place of religious worship will not be subject to penalty under this Order.
Q: Beginning on June 1, 2021, will establishments be permitted to offer food or beverage samples?
A: Yes.
Q: Are nursing, social work, and dental included within the meaning of "medical treatment" for the purposes of section 2(b)(6) and "medical service" for the purpose of section 5(f)?
A: Yes.
[1] An "establishment" is any public or private non-residential facility or venue, which includes businesses, stores, offices, schools, organized events, public transportation services, or other public or private operation or facility where gatherings may occur. This term does not include residences.
