Whitmer: No golf, can returns in shutdown; laundromats OK

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday that golf course workers should abide by her stay-at-home order except to help conduct minimum operations that do not include serving the public.

The guidance effectively means people cannot play at courses during the three-week coronavirus shutdown. It was the latest declaration to businesses and operations looking for clarity related to the measure that took effect this week amid the COVID-19 crisis.

It had not been clear if Whitmer's order applied to golf courses.

Whitmer's office also said 10-cent bottle returns are temporarily off limits, even if they are in grocery and convenience stores that remain open.

Laundromat and coin-laundry employees are allowed to work, according to an updated question-and-answer memo on the state website.

Whitmer told reporters Thursday that the vast majority of businesses are "doing the right thing" and keeping workers home. She said her orders are “pretty clear” but acknowledged there may be areas of uncertainty.

“I would encourage any business that is not sure if they're life-sustaining to probably assume that they're not,” the governor said.

Her order exempts “critical infrastructure" workers from having to stay home — those in fields such as health care, law enforcement, food and agriculture, financial services and government. Also exempted are employees needed to maintain inventory and equipment, care for animals, ensure security, process transactions — including payroll and employee benefits — or facilitate the ability of other employees to work remotely.