MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has reissued an executive order restricting entry into care facilities and juvenile justice facilities.

The order, which Whitmer issued on March 14, has been extended until May 3.

The order requires facilities to use best efforts to facilitate remote visitations between individuals under their care and their loved ones by using phone or video conferencing software.

The order also clarifies that “residential care facilities include, but are not limited to, homes for the aged, nursing homes, adult foster care facilities, hospice facilities, substance abuse disorder residential facilities, independent living facilities, and assisted living facilities.

Effective immediately, all health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities and juvenile justice facilities must prohibit visitors who are not necessary for providing medical care, supporting daily living activities, or exercising power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship for an individual under the facility’s care.

They also must prohibit anyone who is not a parent, foster parent or guardian of an individual age 21 or under who is under the facility’s care; are not visiting an individual under the facility’s care who is in serious condition or hospice care; and are not visiting under exigent circumstances or to perform official government functions.

The birth of a child qualifies as an exigent circumstance under the order, which means a partner and doula may accompany a laboring mother if they pass the health evaluation required by the order.

Local senior care facilities already are taking precautions.

For example, the Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Ishpeming said on its Facebook page it is required to operate remote visitations between individuals in care and loved ones using phone or video conferencing. The Mill Creek Senior Living Community is not allowing visitors physically, but encourages Skype, FaceTime and window visits.

Church, others offer help

Silver Creek Church and Silver Creek Thrift, located at 219 Silver Creek Road in Harvey, are teaming up with Feeding America to host a mobile food distribution event from 3 to 6 p.m. April 15.

This will be a drive-through event, so participants are asked to follow directions given by parking lot attendants.

Guests will be asked to remain in their vehicles and have adequate space prepared in their trunks or back seats to allow the distribution team to place food boxes directly in the vehicle.

It is not necessary for people to bring containers to the event.

For more information, call 906-249-1715.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District, will begin construction on an alternative care facility at the Suburban Collection Showplace in downstate Novi to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency-led response to the pandemic.

The project will involve USACE’s design and construction efforts to adapt more than 250,000 square feet into medical care space. The conversion of the main floor will include about 1,100 bed spaces for COVID-19 patients and stations for medical personnel.

Site visits across Michigan to assess and determine the necessary steps to convert existing buildings into alternative care facilities will continue as the state directs, according to USACE, which said in a news release that it has performed 26 site visits to date in the state.

Events canceled

The annual Good Friday Cross Walk scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday has been canceled. The organizers plan to hold the event in 2021.

The Sunday meeting of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1900 has been canceled. For more information, call 906-475-0362.

The Baraga County Lake Trout Committee has decided to cancel the annual Baraga County Lake Trout Festival event, scheduled for June 13 in L’Anse, but expects to hold the 2021 event on June 12.

Christie Mastric can be reached at cbleck@miningjournal.net.