The MRLA has been in constant communication with Governor Whitmer’s office all day to secure clarification on hotels being deemed essential, meaning they may remain open during the Stay-At-Home Executive Order.
HOTELS ARE DEEMED ESSENTIAL with the following guidance from the Governor:
In general, hotels and motels may remain open, but should limit functions.
Under the order, workers at hotels and motels are critical infrastructure workers to the extent they “provide temporary or permanent housing for… shelter … for … otherwise needy individuals.” For purposes of the order, the term “otherwise needy individuals” includes anyone currently residing in a hotel or motel or anyone seeking shelter during the current pandemic. Hotels and motels may also remain open to the extent they are used for COVID-19 mitigation and containment efforts and to serve critical infrastructure workers.
Hotels and motels may therefore remain open, but should limit guest-to-guest, guest-to-staff, and staff-to-staff interactions, and may only engage in activities providing shelter and basic needs (carry out/delivery/room service food, laundry, etc.). They may not provide additional in-house amenities such as gyms, pools, spas, entertainment faculties, meetings rooms or like facilities, or provide in-house dining.
We have created a response team to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, and will continue to post any new developments. You can view the page and additional resources by following the link here. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.