LANSING, MI -- All Michigan residents and most businesses are required to stay in their homes under an executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to slow the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.

“The virus is spreading exponentially," Whitmer said, adding that the order is "absolutely necessary” to protect public health. She estimated 70% of the state’s population could become infected, 7 million people total.

The number of confirmed cases continued to rise over the weekend, jumping from 549 on Friday to 1,232 by Monday. Fifteen people have died, with “dozens more” being treated in intensive care units.

The executive order, released shortly before a Monday press conference, goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24 and will last for three weeks, ending April 13. Violation of the order is punishable by a misdemeanor.

The move comes after days of conversation between Whitmer’s executive office and various business advocates statewide about the scope of the order to prevent long-lasting damage to Michigan’s economy. Whitmer hopes to prevent the state’s health care system from being overwhelmed and allow more time for the production of critical test kits, ventilators, and personal protective equipment.

READ MORE: Monday, March 23: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan

Executive Order 2020-21 prohibits all businesses and operations from requiring workers to leave their homes unless those workers are necessary to sustain or protect life or to conduct minimum basic operations. Businesses must determine which of their workers are necessary to conduct minimum basic operations.

“Don’t try and skirt the rules,” Whitmer said. “If you’re not an essential business you need to close and you need to protect your employees."

Critical businesses identified in the executive order include the following: child care, health care, law enforcement, public safety, first responders, food and agriculture, energy, public utilities, transportation, communication and information technology, manufacturing, hazardous materials, financial services, defense.

Public schools will remain closed through April 13, Whitmer said.

Residents may only leave their home or place of residence under limited circumstances, under the order. All public and private gatherings are temporarily prohibited.

People may leave the house to for legal proceedings, to visit the hospital, obtain supplies and to exercise. Residents are allowed to visit family members at a health care facility and can work for organizations providing food, shelter and other resources to others.

Restaurants will still be allowed to provide take-out options. Whitmer previously ordered the temporary suspension of all dine-in services.

Non-residents can travel to leave the state. People with a home in another state are also allowed to leave Michigan.

Last week, Whitmer said she was not planning to establish a shelter-in-place order. That changed as the number of confirmed cases rose. Whitmer said her decision was made with the advice of medical experts across the country, including the University of Michigan, John’s Hopkins University and others.

Whitmer warned that hospitals could become overwhelmed if people do not take the order seriously.

“Even with today’s action, the number of cases will go up in the days ahead,” Whitmer said.

Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO Rich Studley sent a letter to Whitmer Friday urging her not to issue an order that affects all businesses in the state. Studley expressed concern for disrupting businesses with “non-interruptible operations” and supply chains that distribute essential consumer goods to residents.

Studley said Monday that conversations between business stakeholders and the governor’s office were “respectful” and “cooperative," resulting in an executive order that protects essential businesses.

“The governor and her team are very focused on whatever additional steps we need to take to further protect public health are done in a way that minimizes any unnecessary or permanent damage to our state’s economic health,” Studley said.

Charles Owens, Michigan director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said his organization worked over the weekend to keep the definition of essential businesses “as broad as possible.” Regardless, he said the executive order will have serious economic consequences.

“I can’t sugarcoat it," he said. "This is going to be very difficult for small businesses. We’re already on the ropes from these mandates that have been passed at the federal level.”

Studley said Michigan has been able to take lessons from similar orders issued in other states. California, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio,

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“Out of urgency, some of the early executive orders that were issued on the West Coast and the East Coast -- and I don’t mean to be critical of those governors -- they were blunt instruments," Studley said. “(Whitmer) has had the opportunity to listen and learn from her counterparts.”

Whitmer said following the executive order is the best way to keep everyone safe. She especially urged young people to maintain social distancing.

“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do," she said.

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops ) and when you go into places like stores.

Complete coverage of coronavirus in Michigan.

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