BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- Berrien County officials are asking residents to refrain from calling the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center with questions or concerns about potential violations of the stay at home order issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Before making a formal complaint, be sure to review the Executive Order, which provides a long list of exceptions to the essential business list.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has created an online tip form to handle non-emergency reports of violations of the Executive Order.

For other questions, you can call the Berrien County COVID-19 Response Hotline at 800-815-5485.

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that hospital resources are preserved for those at highest risk of critical illness, it is important that everyone follow the social distancing guidelines. The Executive Order that was issued by the Governor was put in place to assist in making this happen.

“It is going to take all of us working together and complying with this order to help slow the spread of this virus,” said Chief Paul Toliver from the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Twp Police Department.  “Law enforcement officials across the county are urging people to comply with this order voluntarily. Our goal would be to educate people and warn individuals first and then take enforcement action if the violation continues and it poses a public health concern.”

Willful violations of the Governor’s Executive Orders are a misdemeanor and can also result in a $500 fine.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) should call the free COVID-19 screening hotline at 616.391.2380 and remain home for seven days after illness onset, or 72 hours after resolution of fever and improvement of respiratory symptoms, whichever is longer.

A free virtual screening is not a COVID-19 test and is required before specimen collection may occur.

Residents in other counties in Michigan can visit Know Your Employment Rights on the state's website.