This is a developing story, check back for updates and reactions from community members.

The Washtenaw County Health Department on Tuesday, Oct. 20, announced a two week stay-in-place order for students attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor that is effective immediately and expires on Nov. 3 at 7 a.m. 

The order applies to all undergraduate students at U-M. Students are required to stay in their residence unless going to classes, using dining services, or completing approved work that cannot be done remotely. 

The order came after COVID-19 cases continued to increase in the county, with over 60% of the county’s cases coming from U-M students. 

The order notes that in mid-August, prior to U-M students returning to campus, COVID-19 cases at U-M accounted for 2% of total Washtenaw County cases. Now, 61% of the county’s cases are related to U-M. 

The order also follows a weekend directive from U-M that asked residents of the Mary Markley Hall to not attend in-person classes and follow enhanced safety protocols for 14 days following a cluster of positive cases. 

“There is current evidence that activity at or near the Ann Arbor campus is driven by social gatherings that do not adhere to the [Michigan Department of Health and Human Services] epidemic orders and [Washtenaw County Health Department] public health orders . . .” the order says.

U-M officials are also exploring moving some classes to an online-only format for the rest of the semester.

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