Gov. Whitmer to temporarily shut down all bars, restaurants to 'eat-in' service

(FOX 2) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on FOX 2 she's issuing an order that will temporarily shut down all bars and restaurants, to take effect at 3 p.m. Monday, March 16.

Details about the order have been released and also includes the closure of several other public gathering spaces, such as gyms, movie theaters and spas. You can see the full list here.

Gov. Whitmer announces temporary shutdown of bars, restaurants

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she'll be issuing an order on Monday that temporarily shuts down all Michigan bars and restaurants to 'eat-in' service only amid the coronavirus state of emergency.

Under this new order, restaurants are still permitted to prepare food for carry-out and delivery service. They're also encouraged to use window service, walk-up service, drive-through service or drive-up service.

The closure does not include office buildings, grocery stores, markets, food pantries, pharmacies, drug stores, and providers of medical equipment and supplies, health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities, warehouse and distribution centers, and industrial and manufacturing facilities.

CONTINUE READING: Details of Whitmer's bar, restaurant closure order released: gyms, theaters, other gathering places included

Meanwhile, as cases in Michigan have jumped up to 53, Gov. Whitmer said she, too, is working remotely from home or the office during this state of emergency.

"It will be shorter if everyone does their part," she said. "And that means the curtailing of community spread through best hygenic practices and social distancing and washing your hands."

Today is also the first day schools are officially closed in Michigan for the next three weeks.

Just late last night, an additional 20 cases were confirmed positive in the state, bringing the total to 53.

One of the latest cases includes a child in Oakland County who had contact with another person infected. Whitmer wouldn't elaborate on the specific age of the child but would say that he is in the K-12 age range.

"That is something that I think shows that no generation is immune from this," she said. "And that's why it's important to close the schools and take the additional action to try and mitigate the spread and keep community safe."

Here is a current list of the 53 positive cases across Michigan right now:

Oakland County: 13
Wayne County: 12
Washtenaw County: 7
Macomb County: 4
Kent County: 4
Monroe County: 1
St Clair County: 2
Ingham County: 1
Montcalm County: 1
Bay County: 1
Charlevoix County: 1
Ottawa: 1
Unknown: 2

Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.

Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.

Right now there's one big difference between flu and coronavirus: A vaccine exists to help prevent the flu and it's not too late to get it. It won't protect you from catching the coronavirus but may put you in a better position to fight it.

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.

And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.

----

FOX 2 is working to keep you up to date with coronavirus, with both local and national developments. Every weekday we're live at 1 p.m. with a special show reporting the latest news, prevention tips and treatment information.

You can watch live in your FOX 2 app or on the FOX 2 Facebook page here.

You can also get the latest coronavirus news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com.