Health Department Issues Stay In Place Order For University Of Michigan Students, Football Can Continue

The Washtenaw County Health Department has issued a public health emergency stay in place order for University of Michigan undergraduate students effective immediately. The order runs through Tuesday, November 3 at 7 a.m.

“The situation locally has become critical, and this order is necessary to reverse the current increase in cases,” Jimena Loveluck, health officer for Washtenaw County, said in a release. “We must continue to do what we can to minimize the impact on the broader community and to ensure we have the public health capacity to fully investigate cases and prevent additional spread of illness.”

According to the order, “undergraduate students must remain in their residence, unless attending class, accessing dining services, or carrying out approved work that cannot be done remotely. Students who wish to return to a primary residence may do so only if they have completed the U-M’s procedures for leaving campus safely.”

An email sent to Michigan students on Tuesday states that “athletic competition may continue as long as it is done under the direction of a medical professional (football may proceed).”

The order states “during the stay in place order, official and essential activities are allowable when carried out using COVID-19 prevention measures including wearing face coverings, social distancing and frequent hand cleaning. While this order allows students to work and participate in official activities with preventive measures in place, it also limits the impact of exposures on local businesses, workers and community members.”

The county health department reports 61% of the 600 confirmed and probable cases over the last week are connected to University of Michigan students living on or off campus.

Michigan is scheduled to play a game in Minnesota on Saturday before returning home to host Michigan State on October 31. Jim Harbaugh was asked Tuesday morning during a radio interview about his relationship with school president Mark Schlissel. Rumors have circulated lately that the two aren’t getting along. Schlissel was one of the school presidents who originally voted to postpone fall football.

“He’s our president, but he’s also a doctor. And I can tell you, first and foremost, his (goal) has been the health and safety of all the students on campus, everybody who works on the University of Michigan campus.

“And that includes the football players.”