Evers extends ‘Safer at Home’ order through May
Metro Wire Staff
Gov. Tony Evers today directed the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to extend the Safer at Home order through May 26.
The original order, which effectively shut down schools, public gathering spaces, and business deemed nonessential, was scheduled to expire April 24. The extension allows for some flexibility in returning to normal life, according to the governor’s office.
On Thursday, Evers said the extension would “ensure safety and support the progress we’ve made in containing COVID-19,” while allowing allows certain activities to start up again.
“A few weeks ago, we had a pretty grim outlook for what COVID-19 could mean for our state, but because of the efforts of all of you, Safer at Home is working,” Evers said in an email statement on April 16. “That said, we aren’t out of the woods just yet.”
DHS Secretary Andrea Palm said a slow return to normalcy will help “reduce the risk of a second wave of the virus,” adding Wisconsin needed “the steps of testing and more robust public health measures must be in place,” before the Safer at Home order is lifted.
Changes allowed after April 24:
- Public libraries may now provide curbside pick-up of books and other library materials.
- Golf courses may open again, with restrictions including scheduling and paying for tee times online or by phone only. Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed.
- Non-essential businesses will now be able to do more things as Minimum Basic Operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curbside pick-up. Non-essential businesses must notify workers of whether they are necessary for the Minimum Basic Operations.
- Arts and craft stores may offer expanded curbside pick-up of materials necessary to make face masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Aesthetic or optional exterior law care or construction is now allowed under the extended order, so long as it can be done by one person.
Safe Business Practices:
- Essential Businesses and operations must increase cleaning and disinfection practices, ensure that only necessary workers are present, and adopt policies to prevent workers exposed to COVID-19 or symptomatic workers from coming to work.
- Retail stores that remain open to the public as essential businesses and operations must limit the number of people in the store at one time, must provide proper spacing for people waiting to enter, and large stores must offer at least two hours per week of dedicated shopping time for vulnerable populations.
- Essential businesses and operations that are essential because they supply, manufacture, or distribute goods and services to other essential businesses and operations can only continue operations that are necessary to those businesses they supply. All other operations must continue as minimum basic operations.
Schools are ordered to remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year under the extension.
Closing local parks and other open spaces can be decided locally.
Citizens are “strongly encouraged” to stay close to home and avoid out-of-state travel. Social distancing and frequent handwashing should continue, the order said.
