EMERGENCY ORDER (2020-9) FOR CONTROL OF PANDEMIC 

Closing children’s playground equipment 

Emergency Order (Lenawee 2020-7) required closure of public and semi-public playground equipment and other areas used for group sports. With this order, Emergency Order 2020-7, is rescinded. This order imposes substantially identical restrictions, but extends the order to May 28, 2020. 

This Order is made pursuant to Section 2453 of Michigan’s Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368 

(MCL 333.2453). Effective May 7, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order No. 2020-77 which temporarily suspended activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life continuing through May 28, 2020 at 11 :59 p.m. Consistent with MCL 10.33 and MCL 30.405(3), a willful violation of Executive Order No. 2020-59 shall constitute a misdemeanor. 

Matters concerning the public health of the residents of Lenawee County have been brought to the attention of the Lenawee County Local Health Officer. The Local Health Officer has determined that controls are necessary to reduce transmission of COVID-19 to protect the public’s health of Lenawee County based on the following facts: 

1. A communicable disease, novel Coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, has been identified within Lenawee County and can be transmitted from person to person.
2. In order to control and limit the spread of the Coronavirus, it is necessary to prevent and limit i11reded µeople from encountering uninfected people.
3. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages "social distancing" measures. Social distancing is a conscious effort to reduce close contact between people to slow community transmission of the virus.

It is hereby ordered that:

1. Closure of all public and semi-public, indoor and outdoor playground equipment, exercise equipment, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, soccer fields, softball and baseball fields, gazebos, pavilions, and any other similar area used for group sports that encourage close contact with others. Semi-public is defined as associated with apartment houses, condominiums, manufactured housing communities, youth clubs, community centers or similar establishments.
2. Exempt from this order are locations within childcare centers and park areas without playground equipment like walking trails and grassy areas. These spaces allow for walking, running, hiking, cycling and playing within social distancing guidelines so individuals not of the same household remain 6 feet from each other.
3. The contents of this Order shall be published to the members of the public at large by all reasonable means available.
4. This Order shall become effective May 14, 2020 at 11 :59pm and shall be effective until May 28, 2020 at 11 :59pm. Those who disregard the order could be subject to a misdemeanor that includes up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $200.