As of today, April 24 2020, Governor Whitmer has rescinded her previous executive order 2020-40 and instituted a new executive order. The new order is 2020-59 and effective immediately.
Under the new order, Motorized boating is no longer prohibited. Not specifically addressing the issue, the order only states that boating is allowed. Individuals must still adhere to all social distancing guidelines and must maintain 6 feet of social distance if recreating with people from outside your household.
This new order comes on the heels of a lawsuit brought by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs seeking an injunction against the “unjust and arbitrary ban on motorized boating.” According to the group’s website, this new order comes 2 days after Judge Maloney, “acknowledged that the boating ban ‘confusion puts members of MUCC in a precarious situation’ and set a formal hearing for April 29.”
Additional changes in the new order allow residents to travel between two residences in the state again. This means that Michiganders may now resume travel to second homes or hunting and fishing properties.
The order also states that, effective April 26, “Any individual able to medically tolerate a face covering must wear a covering over his or her nose and mouth—such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief—when in any enclosed public space.”
The order cites these changes as coming after the numbers of COVID-19 cases in Michigan have begun to slow down.
