Oakland County has mandated that restaurants, physical fitness centers and entertainment venues cut their occupancy load by 50% amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Oakland County Health Division issued the emergency order to go into effect March 16 and last through April 5, according to a Saturday evening news release.

The move is a proactive step to make sure residents are provided with a safe environment, Oakland County Executive David Coulter said in the release.

It was an effort to “flatten the curve,” County Health Officer Leigh-Anne Stafford said in the release, using a term to describe the influx of cases a healthcare system can handle at once.

“We know this virus is in our community and social distancing is vital to keep our residents healthy and stop the spread of illness,” she said. “Strong measures are necessary to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases.”

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The state had 25 cases of the deadly, global novel coronavirus as of Friday evening, including patients from Oakland County.

The order applies to any county establishment with a food service license, including restaurants, bars, church dining halls, schools, carry-out locations, catering businesses, country clubs, banquet halls and fraternal organizations, according to the release.

It also applies to theaters, auditoriums, concert venues, conference venues, sporting venues, gaming establishments and trampoline parks.

The order excludes grocery stores, healthcare facilities and long-term care facilities.

Venues can get a printable sign to notify customers from the county’s health webpage, officials say.

Contact Darcie Moran: dmoran@freepress.com.