LANSING — On Thursday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended and expanded her "stay home" order as one of her administration's top measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The state still does not have enough testing kits to do the amount of testing for the coronavirus it would like to be able to do, Whitmer said. In the absence of that testing, and with Michigan ranked third among U.S. states for the number of coronavirus deaths, aggressive "social distancing" is the most effective control measure available to state government, officials say.

The toughened measures announced Thursday have triggered pushback from those who say more flexibility is required to help the economy, as well as those who say some of the restrictions are arbitrary and inconsistent.

Whitmer says the longer it takes for Michigan to get the virus under control, the longer the economy will suffer.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the stay home order.

When will the executive order be lifted?

The latest order extends through midnight on April 30, meaning it lifts on May 1. However, Whitmer said she will continue to assess data related to the spread of the disease, and could extend it.

Can I still go outside?

Yes. You can go out to buy groceries or medicine, get exercise, buy gas, get your car repaired, walk the dog or another pet, and go to help an elderly or needy friend or relative, for example.

Can I go to visit friends, relatives or neighbors?

No, with certain exceptions. The order bans travel between two Michigan residences, with certain exceptions such as helping someone who is elderly or infirm. That means no dropping into the home of a friend or relative for a social visit.

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What if I am sharing custody of my children?

Another exception to the ban on residence-to-residence travel is travel required to comply with a court order. So shuttling children to comply with a shared custody, for example, would be permitted. Still, court-ordered visits may not have to be in person, the governor's office says. Videoconferencing or telephone visits may also be acceptable.

Can I go to visit someone in a nursing home or similar facility?

Yes, but only to the extent the nursing home or other facility is still allowing visits, and subject to their conditions.

I normally spend the winter in Florida and I am about to return to Michigan. Is that OK?

Yes. Travel between a residence in Michigan and a residence out of state is still permitted, provided it is not barred by an order in the other state.

Can I go to the cottage I own Up North, or the cottage I rent there?

No. You can, however, visit a state park Up North for personal exercise or recreation, but not stay overnight. State campgrounds — both public and private — are generally closed.

More:Whitmer's new stay home order blasted by critics for lack of consistency

Can I go out in my boat?

That largely depends on whether your boat has a motor. "Physical outdoor activity like kayaking, canoeing and sailing is permitted under the order, but using a motorboat, a jet ski, or other similar watercraft is not," the governor's office says.

How will this order be enforced?

Violating the order can bring a civil fine of up to $1,000, and it can also be treated as a criminal misdemeanor. For companies, there is the potential to lose a business license.Authorities are mostly hoping for voluntary compliance, and much of the enforcement appears to be based on complaints. Those concerned about violators can complain to their local police agency. The level of enforcement could vary widely from one police agency to another. The Attorney General's Office will get involved only after a complaint has been made to local police, a spokeswoman said Monday.

More: Stay-at-home order fines could be a hefty burden in a tough economy

Can the police pull me over to ask why I am not at home?

No, according to the Attorney General's Office. Unless officers have facts leading them to reasonably believe the motorist is out of compliance with the order, "a stop strictly to inquire about compliance is improper," the AG says.

I am deemed an essential worker. Do I have to carry something that shows that?

No. There are requirements for employers to designate essential workers in writing, but no requirement for employees to carry such a designation with them.

Can I hire someone to mow my lawn?

No. You can mow your own lawn, and if you are old or infirm, you can have a neighbor or friend mow your lawn, as long as social distancing requirements are maintained. But lawn care companies are deemed nonessential, except under rare circumstances, under Whitmer's order. Having an overgrown lawn is not a sufficient reason to hire a company, according to the governor's office. The rare circumstances relate to a situation that "genuinely impairs the habitability of a home."

Can I play golf?

Generally, no, though there was some movement on this issue from the Attorney General's Office over the weekend. Golf courses are considered nonessential, so they are required to close and employees can't be called in to collect fees, arrange for carts, or perform other services other than essential ones such as security. However, officials said they would not generally be able to enforce the order in the case of players going to a closed course with the consent of the owner.

In the case of a closed private golf course where member fees are already paid, a member can play alone or with someone else, provided they maintain social distancing requirements, Kelly Rossman-McKinney, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General's Office, said Monday.

That could also apply to other closed courses, again if the owner consents, said a local prosecutor.

"They can have people there to cut the grass and maintain the course if needed ... but nothing else," Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker said in an email Monday. "However. I do not think we can prevent people from walking on them, or if they are walking with their clubs and playing the course, if the course approves.

"Some courses open to the public have 'memberships'," whether they are public or private courses, Becker said. "If they want to allow their members to do this, I don’t think we have a good basis to prevent this. With that being said, we could have trespass charges if people go on without permission."

Are pest control companies allowed to operate?

Yes, to the extent those services are needed for safety and sanitation.

Can shooting ranges remain open?

No, although gun stores can.Gun sales are permitted as an apparent home safety issue.

Can I buy a child's car seat?

Yes, and a section of a store selling car seats in the Upper Peninsula was apparently roped off from the public in error. Big box stores are required, under the order, to rope off areas of the store selling nonessential items such as paint and garden supplies.

Can a store make me line up outside before entering?

Yes. In fact, stores are required under the order to limit the number of people allowed inside, based on their square footage. Social distancing requirements must be enforced in any line-ups, meaning at least 6 feet between those who are waiting to enter.

Does all of this make sense?

Arguably, some of it does not. Many have pointed out apparent inconsistencies, such as being able to buy lottery tickets, but not a can of paint or a bag of seeds.

Can I participate in a demonstration against the stay home order?

Yes, as long as you maintain social distancing requirements by staying at least 6 feet away from other participants. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution remains in effect.

Where can I get additional information?

The answers to more frequently asked questions can be found on the governor's website.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.