MI Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Development, MI Restaurant and Lodging Association Encouraging Support of Restaurants Through Take-out, Delivery Options
MDARD also urges consumers to give stores time to re-stock
LANSING, MICH. Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-9 temporarily closing dine-in options for restaurants, bars, theaters, casinos and fitness centers to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 in the state of Michigan effective at 3 p.m. yesterday March 16, 2020.
The Executive Order does not restrict a place of business from offering food and beverage using delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, or drive-up service. Places of public accommodation are encouraged to do so and use precautions to mitigate potential transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing. Restaurants may allow five people inside at a time to pick up orders, so long as they stay six feet apart from each other.
“It’s important Michigan take the necessary steps to protect public health, but we also realize the importance of supporting local retail, eateries and stores,” said Gary McDowell, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director. “You can still get your favorite foods, just in a different way than before, as we work together to reduce the spread. I urge you to continue to support your area businesses, who are often the foundation of our local communities, by buying gift certificates for later use, getting take-out or delivery.”
“The restaurant industry is filled with innovative, resilient leaders who have a knack for rising to the occasion when challenges arise,” said Justin L. Winslow, President & CEO Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “Michiganders should know that they can trust that their local restaurants will continue to provide safe and delicious meals for them and their families throughout this difficult time – just curbside instead tableside for the time being. If take out or delivery is not an option, we also encourage people to consider purchasing a gift card to help their favorite restaurant through this difficult period.”
Additionally, MDARD wants to remind Michiganders that this is a time to prepare, not panic. Flooding the grocery and convenience stores doesn’t allow them time to properly restock with the items consumers are looking to buy. The supply chain is intact, and the food and items are available, but giving time for the stores to take and replenish inventory is critical to ensure everyone has access to what they need at the store.
“Grocers are working hard to keep stores sanitary and stocked. We’re encouraging consumers to make reasonable purchasing decisions,” said Bill Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association. “This will take the pressure off grocery stores that are trying to keep up with demand for such essentials as toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Those products will be consistently available if shoppers simply buy what they need, rather than clearing the shelves.”
“Michigan is taking decisive steps to minimize spread and reduce risk to vulnerable populations and return us all to a normal state as quickly as possible,” added McDowell.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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Contacts: MDARD: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-2575
MI Restaurant and Lodging Association: Emily Daunt, 517-377-3933
Michigan Retailers Association: Meegan Holland, 517-721-9009
