(New Buffalo, MI) - Customers wearing masks started being required Monday at grocery stores like Barney’s in New Buffalo under the Michigan governor’s revised stay at home order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

 

         Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the order until May 15 with revisions including customers at essential retail establishments like grocery stores and pharmacies statewide having to wear masks or some other covering over their noses and mouths.

 

         The face coverings which can make breathing more of a challenge are required as long as customers are able to medically tolerate it.

 

         Whitmer said violators will not face criminal penalties but stores will be allowed not to serve them.

 

         “Please wear a mask. It’s in everybody’s best interest,” said New Buffalo Police Chief Rich Killips.

 

         Masks were still in option in nearby Indiana under the governor’s stay at home order in that state but a growing number of customers at grocery stores like Aldi and Meijer in Michigan City have been choosing to wear them.

 

         “It’s a little bit different in Indiana compared to Michigan.  We’re doing our best to keep the loyal customers safe and also our workers,” said Brad Debald, a security officer at Barney’s Supermarket.

 

         For a few weeks now, Barney’s has been complying with the governor’s restrictions by limiting the number of customers inside the store at one time to 40.     

 

          Debald said the doors had to be temporarily closed on three separate occasions Sunday afternoon to avoid exceeding the customer limit.

 

         The customer limits based on square footage are still in effect under the governor’s extended order.