MDHHS Epidemic Order

As of October 29, 2020, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued Epidemic Order for Gathering Prohibition and Face Covering. Be sure to read the full order, so you understand the requirements. MDHHS created a very helpful Fact Sheet and Infographic. This order is effective immediately, except for section 8(c), which takes effect on November 2, 2020. This order remains in effect until rescinded.

Please be advised of the following requirements that apply to agritourism operations, but please review the full order for a complete list of requirements.

FACE MASKS
Face masks are still required. Businesses, government offices, schools, child care organizations, operators of public transit, and all other gathering organizers must not allow indoor or outdoor gatherings of any kind unless they require individuals to wear a face mask. These entities may not assume that someone who enters the business without a face mask falls in one of the exceptions; but may accept an individual’s verbal representation that they are not wearing a face mask because they fall within a specified exception.

LIMITS ON ATTENDANCE:
Indoor Gatherings:
Indoor gatherings of up to 10 persons at non-residential venues are permitted. Face coverings are strongly recommended.

Indoor gatherings of more than 10 and up to 500 people occurring at a non-residential venue are permitted only to the extent that the organizers and venue:

  • Venues with fixed seating - No more than 500 persons are gathered, and attendance is limited to 20% of the seating capacity of the venue.
  • Venues without fixed seating - 

    • No more than 50 persons are gathered, and attendance is limited to 20 persons per 1,000 square feet in each occupied room.

    • Require that each person at the gathering wear a face covering, except as noted in section 6 of the order.

    • Only six people are permitted at each table.

Outdoor Gatherings:
Outdoor gatherings up to 1,000 persons occurring at a non-residential venue are permitted only to the extent that the organizers and venue:

  • Venues with fixed seating - limit attendance to 30% of seating capacity; 
  • Venues without fixed seating - limit attendance to 30 persons per 1,000 square feet, including any distinct area within the event space;
  • Require that each person at the gathering wear a face mask.

“Gathering” means any occurrence where two or more persons from more than one household are present in a shared space. Except for incidental gatherings in a shared space, all gatherings must include 6 feet of social distance between households.

CAPACITY LIMITATIONS

  • Gatherings at public facilities, such as a retail store, library or museum, may not exceed 50% total occupancy limits.Gatherings at recreational sports and exercise facilities, such as gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, bowling centers, roller and ice rinks, and trampoline parks, may not exceed 25% of total occupancy limits and are not allowed unless there is at least six feet between workout stations.\
  • Gatherings at professional sports and entertainment facilities, including arenas, cinemas, concert halls, performance and sporting venues, stadiums and theaters, are allowed only if the venue can ensure there is six feet of distance between patrons not of the same household.
  • Gatherings at outdoor pools must not exceed 50% of capacity limits, and at indoor pools must not exceed 25% of capacity limits.
  • Gatherings at non-tribal casinos may not exceed 15% of total occupancy limits.
  • In-person work is prohibited if work activities can feasibly be completed remotely.

FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS|
Indoor Common Areas and Seating

  1. INDOOR COMMON AREAS AND SEATING

    • Must not exceed 50% of normal seating capacity.

    • Must maintain six feet of distance between each party. No more than six people per table are allowed.

    • Must collect names and phone numbers to assist with contract tracing.

    • Close indoor common areas in which people can congregate, dance, or otherwise mingle.

    • Prohibit indoor gatherings anywhere alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption onsite, except for where parties are seated and separated from one another by at least six feet, and do not intermingle.

MIOSHA Emergency Rules for COVID-19

As of October 14, 2020, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued Emergency Rules for COVID-19. These are in effect for the next six months. Most of these are things that you are already doing, but please be sure to read the full list of requirements, including the Industry-specific Requirements for Retail, Restaurants and Bars, and Public Accommodations (Rule 9, Sections 3, 4 and 9).


Recommended Best Practices for Agritourism Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The following are recommended best practices to implement at your agritourism operation to keep customers, employees and animals safe.

1. Social Distancing

– Ensure six feet of separation between parties or groups - people in the
same party do not have to be six feet apart

– Close or limit traffic in high-density areas of the operation

- Consider moving indoor classes, tours and events outdoors to increase allowed capacities, and to provide better ventilation and social distancing capabilities.

2. Sanitation & Hygiene

– Post signage asking customers not to enter if they are or have recently been sick.

– Conduct frequent cleaning

 

– Replace wood or cloth activities, games, and exhibits with nonporous,
easy-to-clean surfaces such as glass, metal or plastic.

– Provide single-use, disposable containers for u-pick. To prevent cross
contamination, do not allow customers to bring their own u-pick
containers.

– Limit shared items for customers

– Provide handwashing stations and/or sanitizing station in outdoor
operations where customers will handle food or produce.

– Consider closing off high touch surfaces

3. Personal Protective Equipment

–Employers are required to provide facial coverings to all employees.

–Ensure that all employees and customers wear face coverings, especially indoors.


–To prevent cross contamination, encourage frequent handwashing rather than glove usage, unless gloves are required due to food safety regulations or indicated for use with specific cleaning or sanitizing supplies.

4. Administrative Controls

-Operators must have a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan and make it readily available to employees and customers; train employees; and supervise implementation.

-Employers are required to screen employees for COVID-19 symptoms each day, and keep confidential records that the screenings have taken place. This can be through a verbal screening or a written screening, but the screening must be recorded. If an employee reports any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, diarrhea) or begins to show symptoms during the workday, they should be excluded from the work place.

- Employees must be trained on:

- Create a policy to keep symptomatic employees home:

Resources for Assistance:

Additional Resources:

 If you have any questions, please contact us at info@michiganfarmfun.com or 616-952-1151.