Michigan health chief cites 'broad' authority, issues rules

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's health chief said Tuesday he has “broad” legal authority to curb the coronavirus, as he issued additional orders reinstituting restrictions negated by a state Supreme Court ruling and requiring schools to notify the public of infections.

Robert Gordon, director of the Department of Health and Human Services, reinstated rules for nursing homes and other congregate-care settings. He also told local health departments to inform K-12 schools within 24 hours of learning of a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. A school must post it on its website within 24 hours of being notified.

The steps came a day after Gordon ordered the wearing of masks and limits on gathering sizes following the court decision that declared unconstitutional a law Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had used to unilaterally extend an emergency order and underlying virus-related restrictions.

He again cited a 1978 law that empowers him to act to control a pandemic — a law that stemmed from a 1919 law that was enacted after the Spanish flu pandemic.

“It's a broad grant of authority," he told The Associated Press by phone. “The actions we're taking fall well within it.”

Opponents of the orders could file lawsuits. A Republican legislative leader has come out against codifying mask and other rules into law, saying businesses, nonprofits and schools can make their own decisions nearly seven months into the outbreak. Gordon said such restrictions cannot be voluntary. He said to expect additional orders soon.

“Orders matter. The law matters. They set common expectations, and they help everyone know what they need to do,” he said. “The science behind what we are doing is 100% clear. Masks reduce the spread of COVID. Social distancing reduces the spread...