To curb the spread of COVID-19, the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) will collaborate with U-M Student Life and the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) to have an enhanced presence off campus to assist the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) in documenting violations of the Stay-in-Place Order and the public health emergency order.
As with all enforcement related to COVID-19, our goal remains to educate and seek voluntary compliance. However, where there are repeat violations or a first-time violation with increased risk of harm, enforcement may be required. Examples of increased risk of harm could include hosting a large party, violating both public health orders, or repeated non-compliance.
If officers are sent to a place where the Stay-in-Place Order is being violated, information including name(s) of individuals, location, and the specific public health order violation(s)—such as gathering size violation, not obeying stay in place order, not wearing a mask, etc.—will be documented and forwarded to the WCHD or the U-M Office of Student Conflict Resolution (OSCR) for review.
“The safety of our community is our top priority,” said Eddie L. Washington, Jr. “Violations of the public health orders increase the risk of you becoming infected with or spreading COVID-19. DPSS, Student Life, AAPD, and the WCHD are working together to prevent harm to our community.”
The WCHD’s Stay-in-Place Order requires U-M undergraduate students to remain in their designated residences (except for certain activities) and are not permitted to have visitors. U-M and DPSS fully support this important initiative to protect the health of the campus community.
The WCHD also issued a public health emergency order to limit the size of social gatherings or events within the City of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. No more than 25 people may gather at outdoor events and indoor gatherings remain limited to 10 or fewer people not of the same household.
Public safety is everyone’s responsibility. DPSS is asking all community members to celebrate responsibly this weekend. Stay home, stay safe and go blue!
For more tips on how to have a safe football and Halloween experience, visit Campus Blueprint.