Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday his new “Safer at Home” order in effect for the next month.
Gov. Tony Evers said Tuesday, March 24, 2020, his new “Safer at Home” order will be in effect for the next month.
He directed Department of Health Services Secretary- designee Andrea Palm to prohibits all nonessential travel, with some exceptions.
The order went into effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March, 25.
It will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on April 24.
“I know the COVID-19 outbreak has been difficult and has disrupted the lives of people across our state. Issuing a Safer at Home order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do and it’s not something I take lightly, but here’s the bottom line: folks need to start taking this seriously,” Evers said. “Each and every one of us has to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can flatten the curve to ensure our doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers have the opportunity to do their important work. Let’s all do our part and work together.”
• Wisconsin residents don’t need permission to leave their homes.
• But they must comply with the order when they do.
• “Essential” businesses do not need special permission to remain open.
Under this order, Wisconsin residents are able to:
• Perform tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor
• Get necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food and supplies necessary for staying at home
• Care for a family member in another household
• Care for older adults, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons
Businesses allowed to operate under the Safer at Home order include, but are not limited to:
• Health care operations, including home health workers
• Critical infrastructure
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable individuals
• Fresh and non-perishable food retailers, including convenience stores, grocery stores, farmers’ markets and food banks
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food and goods directly to residences
• Pharmacies, health care supply stores and health care facilities
• Child care facilities, with some limitations
• Gas stations and auto repair facilities
• Banks
• Laundry businesses, dry cleaners and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence, including garbage collection
• Hardware stores, plumbers and electricians
• Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning
• Roles required for any business to maintain minimum basic operations, which includes security and payroll
• Law and safety, and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action
Read the full order:
You can read the full order at https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WIGOV/2020/03/24/file_attachments/1409408/Health%20Order%20%2312%20Safer%20At%20Home.pdf
The order contains detailed information regarding the exemptions provided to certain businesses.
If a business is unsure about whether or not they are exempted from this order, owners should contact the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
The public should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:
• Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house)
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Avoiding touching your face
• Staying home
The governor’s legal counsel said enforcement would be left to Wisconsin county sheriff’s departments.