Gov. Whitmer Puts A Stop To Golf In Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday that golf courses and tobacco shops should close for three weeks to abide by her stay-at-home order. 

The guidance was the latest declaration to businesses and operations looking for clarity related to the measure that took effect this week amid the COVID-19 crisis. 

It had not been clear if Whitmer's order applied to golf courses.

Whitmer's office also said 10-cent bottle returns are temporarily off-limits, even if they are in grocery and convenience stores that remain open. Landscaping, lawn care, tree service and irrigation companies may not operate, either, except to "maintain and improve the safety, sanitation and essential operations of a residence."

Cigar bars, vape shops and hookah lounges also cannot stay open. Laundromat and coin-laundry employees are allowed to work, according to an updated question-and-answer memo on the state website.

Whitmer told reporters Thursday that the vast majority of businesses are "doing the right thing" and keeping workers home. She said her orders are "pretty clear" but acknowledged there may be areas of uncertainty.

"I would encourage any business that is not sure if they're life-sustaining to probably assume that they're not," the governor said.

Her order exempts "critical infrastructure" workers from having to stay home — those in fields such as health care, law enforcement, food and agriculture, financial services and government. Also exempted are employees needed to maintain inventory and equipment, care for animals, ensure security, process transactions — including payroll and employee benefits — or facilitate the ability of other employees to work remotely.

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• Coronavirus