UPDATE: Workers who believe their employer is putting their health at risk should now contact local law enforcement.

Businesses that call their employees into work during a statewide “stay at home” order can face fines and other penalties for risking their workers’ health.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered most businesses and organizations to send their employees home for the next three weeks under an executive order that went into effect March 24. Whitmer carved out exemptions for public safety, health care and workers “who are necessary to sustain or protect life,” but warned employers against making their employees leave home if those categories don’t apply.

"Don't play fast and loose with what is essential and what's not," Whitmer said at a Monday press conference. "Don't try to skirt the rules. If you're not an essential business you need to close and you need to protect your employees. We're confident that the vast majority of people are going to do the right thing."

Violating the executive order, which ends April 13, is punishable by a misdemeanor, $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Anyone can report violations to the Michigan Attorney General's consumer complaint hotline at (877) 765-8388 or online ­at www.michigan.gov/agcomplaints.

Local law enforcement will also investigate businesses that stay open in defiance of the order, according to Attorney General spokeswoman Kelly Rossman-McKinney.

“This is not a recommendation,” Whitmer said. “This is an order, and we take it very seriously.”

Whitmer's executive order keeps open businesses that provide health care, food, medicine, gas and banking. People are still able to leave their homes to gather supplies, visit loved ones and exercise outside but are ordered to follow social distancing practices and stay six feet away from others as much as possible.

The governor's order identifies various types of critical industries that must remain open, including distribution centers, public transit, trash pick-up and disposal, public works and utilities, communications and information technology and "critical manufacturing."

Those businesses can designate suppliers or service providers who are needed to keep their operation going. Suppliers can designate other organizations they need to stay open.

Under the order, employers can designate employees who are needed “to conduct minimum basic operations.” Those employees will be allowed to leave their home to work.

Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Barauh said those measures were the result of detailed conversations between the governor’s executive office and business advocates. Barauh said members of the Detroit Chamber have had a mixed reaction to the order, which he characterized as “begrudgingly supportive.”

“What we didn’t want was a blanket shelter in place order, and the governor has not issued that,” Barauh said. “The governor has not issued that, you know, the governor has issued a stay at home order, which has some meaningful exceptions."

Businesses that don't provide essential services are subjects to fines and forced closure if they continue to operate, Whitmer said. The same goes for businesses that bring in workers that aren't needed to conduct basic operations.

“Any businesses that don’t comply, there will be ramifications for it to be sure,” Whitmer 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.