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This Thanksgiving, Michigan will be asking residents to submit reports if they see others violating COVID-19 restrictions during Thanksgiving gatherings, as a way to prevent the spread of the virus in the state. 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) has limited how large a Thanksgiving gathering can be this year. They say it should be limited to two households and no more than ten people, Michigan Capitol Confidential reported. 

This means a household that is hosting Thanksgiving can only invite one other household to join them. It would be even safer, however, to have an indoor gathering only with members of your own household.

“If MDHHS receives an allegation of a violation of the department’s order, the department will refer the matter to the local health department or law enforcement,” Lynn Sutfin, spokesperson for MDHHS, told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an email. 

If this happens, a health department or law enforcement agency will first attempt to speak with a member of the household to resolve the violation. A citation of violation may also be issued if the department of agency chooses to do so.

“The first remediation method is to discuss the situation with the person responsible for the violation and attempt to resolve the situation without issuing a citation," Sutfin told Michigan Capitol Confidential. "The local health department or MDHHS -- as a referral from the Michigan State Police -- may issue an administrative citation for violating the department’s order. The department hopes that residents will do the right thing and follow these orders to save lives and protect their family, friends and community from further spread of COVID-19.”