LANSING, Mich.— Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed an executive order aimed to protect workers when they or their close contacts are sick.

The executive order prohibits all employers from discharging, disciplining, or otherwise retaliating against an employee for staying home from work if they or one of their close contacts tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms of the virus.

According to the governor, the executive order strengthens the current stay-at-home-order and makes it policy that anyone in Michigan who tests positive or show symptoms or who live with someone who is sick should not leave home unless absolutely necessary.

The executive order will remain in place until further notice.

Health-care professionals, workers at a health-care facility, first responders including police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, child protective service employees, workers at child caring institutions and correctional officers are exempt from staying at home if a member of their household tests positive for COVID-19 or displays one or more of the common symptoms provided that their employers’ rules governing occupational health allow them to go to work.