LANSING, MI -- Grocery stores and pharmacies in Michigan are now required to set aside shopping hours for vulnerable residents.

The move is part of an executive order signed Sunday, April 26 by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to establish strategies to reduce exposure to COVID-19 for customers and employees.

Per the executive order, those considered to be part of the state’s vulnerable population are people over 60, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.

“While Michiganders fight this virus, we must continue to take aggressive action to reduce exposure and prevent a second spike in cases,” said Whitmer in a news release.

“This is not the time to slow our efforts; we must continue to be smart. By establishing these guidelines, we can protect Michigan families and our frontline workers. When we come together, we can slow the spread of this virus and save lives.”

Additional guidelines established under the new order require checkout employees to wear some form of covering over their nose and mouth, be it a scarf, bandana, or homemade mask.

This also applies to employees and vendors being notified by a food-selling establishment -- grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores -- if a fellow employee tests positive for COVID-19.

Here’s are other new requirements under Executive Order 2020-42:

Ensure that both employees and customers remain at least six feet apart to the maximum extent possible.

Close self-serve prepared food stations such as salad bars and eliminate free samples and tasting stations.

Adopt procedures to meet the environmental cleaning guidelines set by the CDC, including by cleaning and disinfecting frequent touchpoints throughout the day such as point of sale terminals at registers, shopping carts, and shopping baskets.

Prohibit employees who are sick from reporting to work and send employees home if they display symptoms of COVID-19.

Accommodate employees who fall within a vulnerable population by providing lower-exposure work assignments or giving them the option to take an unpaid leave of absence with a return date coinciding with the end of the states of emergency and disaster.

Develop and implement a daily screening program, as described herein, for all staff upon or just prior to reporting to work sites.

COVID-19 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.

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