News Photo by Crystal Nelson New Alpena resident Ken Hemming is helped by Mango’s Express employee Nic Schaub, owner Arturo Mendez, and employees Morgan Barlow and Emilee Ruth Monday at the restaurant in the Thunder Bay Shopping Center, 2205 U.S.-23 S. All are wearing masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

ALPENA — Local public health officials urge Northeast Michiganders “to stay the course” on coronavirus precautions despite the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling that many of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders related to the pandemic are unconstitutional.

Local health officials said it’s too soon to say, however, whether local orders are necessary.

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a 1945 law used by Whitmer to respond to the pandemic was unconstitutional. Whitmer argues her emergency declaration and related orders can remain in place for 21 days, but today asked the Supreme Court to clarify the timeline.

Denise Bryan, health officer for District Health Departments No. 2 and No. 4 serving Northeast Michigan, said in a press release many of Whitmer’s executive orders can be reissued under other authorities. Late this afternoon, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an executive order restricting gathering sizes, requiring face coverings in public spaces, and placing limitations on bars and other venues.

“MDHHS has advised us that they are working on their next steps which will take a little time,” Bryan said in the release. “We believe the best scenario is to assess what future rules or orders may be issued statewide before we determine if any local orders will be necessary.”

Violations of DHHS’s latest order are a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months or a fine of not more than $200, or both. Violations are also punishable by a civil fine of fine of up to $1,000.

Health departments in other Michigan counties have begun requiring face masks in public and issuing other orders after the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Bryan urged businesses to continue following COVID-19 precaution plans, because they are working.

“We have worked hard to get this far together, and we encourage everyone to stay the course and continue to protect themselves and each other,” Bryan said in the release.

The region continues to see an increase in positive cases and increased contacts in quarantines, she said.

Local public health officials today announced four new Northeast Michigan residents were confirmed infected with COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus: Two Alcona County residents, one Montmorency County resident, and one Presque Isle County resident.

That means a total of 209 Northeast Michigan residents have tested positive for the disease since the virus hit Michigan in mid-March.

Health Department officials urge Northeast Michiganders to continue the following:

* Wear a mask around others, especially indoors

* Limit gathering sizes, especially indoors

* Stay six feet away from others

* Continue workplace health screenings of employees

* Remaining home if you are ill

* Get your influenza vaccine

Health Department officials issued an emergency executive order on April 13, which required screening and social distancing at open businesses and operations. That order, issued on April 13, was extended through April 30.

Health Department Spokeswoman Cathy Goike said both of those orders have since expired.