Michigan Garden Centers Get the Green Light
On April 24, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer eased some of the restrictions of her previous COVID-19 executive orders that were having a detrimental impact on the state’s horticulture-related companies.
At a press conference, Whitmer did extend the stay-at-home order for Michigan citizens until May 15, but she also announced that the state was lifting some of the restrictions on certain types of business such as garden centers.
Earlier this month, Whitmer issued an Executive Order that was among the most restrictive in the country and did not allow garden centers and growers to be open for business. This included cordoning off garden centers in big box retailers.
According tot he Detroit News, lawn services, garden centers, nurseries and landscapers can re-open for business but must adhere to “enhanced” social distancing rules and must limit the number of workers to those “strictly necessary to perform the in-person work.”
A post on the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council’s Facebook page had these safety measures/recommendations for garden centers including:
- Online shopping/call ahead orders/curbside pickup and delivery
- Limiting customers near cash registers and in the store
- Marking the floor at check-out to encourage proper social distancing
- Sanitizing all carts, baskets, door handles and credit card keypads
- Requiring staff to sanitize regularly and have sanitizer for you customers
- Requiring staff and customers to social distance in the store
- Asking staff and customers to stay home if exhibiting any symptoms.
Click here to read Whitmer’s latest Executive Order.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
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