(WWJ) Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she is going to extend her "Stay Home, Stay Safe"executive order.
As for just how long it will stretch, that is not yet known.
Whitmer first told WOOD-TV on Wednesday that her order, which is currently set to expire after April 13, would be extended and said she would announce details on the extension Thursday afternoon. Her office then confirmed the information to other media outlets.
This comes as the state health department is reporting at least 959 deaths related to COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. The number of confirmed virus cases in Michigan had eclipsed 20,300 by Wednesday afternoon.
This news was not unexpected. Speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950 on Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said he believed that Whitmer would extend the order, after the Legislature granted an extension of the State of Emergency.
As for how long Michiganders will be asked to stay home, Gilchrist would not estimate. He said they have a team of health and business leaders working together to figure out how best to move forward.
"We're going to work closely with them alongside our public health professionals and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun to make a responsible decision on that that we can be confident in," Gilcrest told WWJ. "But you'll have to stay tuned still to see where we're going to land on the 'Stay Home, Stay Safe' order, because that literally changes every single day."
Whitmer said the virus is expected to peak in Michigan at the end of April or early May.
Stay with WWJ for the latest updates.
