LANSING, Mich. – Law enforcement officers across Ingham County will be ensuring people heed Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order prohibiting gatherings of 250 people or more. Those who disregard the order could be subject to a misdemeanor that includes up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $200.

The large gatherings ban is one of several statewide efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The ban went into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13 and is in place until Sunday, April 5 at 5 p.m.

“I urge everyone to take steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 including adhering to the Governor’s Executive Order,” said Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail. “In addition to avoiding large gatherings, people should continue to follow other precautions such as washing hands, not touching their face, and disinfecting surfaces.”

The executive order applies to all gatherings of more than 250 people in a single shared space and includes both private businesses and public locations. A single shared space includes, but is not limited to, a room, hall, cafeteria, auditorium, theater, or gallery. People gathering for the purposes of: industrial or manufacturing work; mass transit; or the purchase of groceries or consumer goods are exempt.

Known coronaviruses are generally thought to spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new type of coronavirus, but at this time droplet spread seems to be the primary mode of transmission.

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