Information From the Clark County Health Department on Governor Evers "Safer at Home" Order
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 -- 5:10 PM
-On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, ordered that the “EMERGENCY ORDER #12: SAFER AT HOME ORDER” go into effect on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 8:00 AM.This order will remain in effect until April 24, 2020 at 8:00 AM or until a superseding (new) order is issued. Its purpose is to reduce or eliminate the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). This new Order replaces any previous orders and is enforceable by any local law enforcement official, including the County Sheriff. Violation or obstruction of this Order is punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, or up to $250 fine, or both. Wis. Stat. § 252.25.
As of March 24, 2020, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin is 457, and that number continues to rise. Public health officials estimate that the actual number of Wisconsinites infected with COVID-19 is much higher and likely present in every county in the state. At the current growth in the number of people infected, the number of people needing medical care due to COVID-19 will significantly exceed the amount of available healthcare resources (staff and supplies).
The entire state of WI??"including residents, businesses, community organizations, and government need to take all possible actions to reduce further spread of this disease to save lives. Social distancing (keeping at least 6 feet apart from others and avoiding direct physical contact) is the only effective way to slow the rate of infection. There is no current vaccine available to prevent COVID-19. This is a critical moment in Wisconsin, and we must all do our part to temporarily stop all non-essential travel, business, and social interactions.
The full order is available on the following website: https://www.clarkcountywi.com/.
Below are highlights of this order:
Stay At Home:
?,? Everyone in WI is ordered to stay at home or at their place of residence. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces other than their home or residence, they must at all times maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from any other person. However, individuals do not need to maintain social distancing between family members in a single living unit or household.
Non-Essential Businesses and Operations Must Temporarily Stop:
?,? All for-profit and non-profit businesses with a facility in WI, except Essential Businesses and Operations as defined in the full order, are required to temporarily stop all activities at facilities located within WI.
Activities Not Allowed:
?,? All public and private gatherings of any number of people that are not part of a single household or living unit are not allowed (there are some exceptions, however??"please refer to the full order).
Closures: All of the following facilities shall be closed:
?,? Public and private K-12 schools and public libraries. Except for facilitating distance learning or virtual learning, public and private K-12 schools are closed for pupil instruction and extracurricular activities. Libraries shall close for all in-person services, but may continue to provide on-line services and programming. Schools and public libraries may be used for Essential Government Functions and food distribution.
?,? Places of public amusement and activity. Whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, amusement parks, carnivals, water parks, licensed public or private swimming pools, splash pads, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children's play centers, playgrounds, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other
theaters, concert and music halls, country clubs, social clubs, and gyms and fitness centers.
?,? Salons and spas. This includes, but is not limited to, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas, electrolysis providers, waxing salons, eyebrow-care establishments, tattoo parlors, body art establishments, and tanning facilities.
Pets: Non-essential veterinary care should be avoided.
Essential Activities: Individuals may leave their home or residence to perform any of the following:
?,? Health and safety. Individuals may take part in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including pets). For example: obtaining medical supplies or medication, seeking emergency services, or visiting a health care or behavior health care professional.
?,? Necessary supplies and services. Individuals may obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others. This includes: canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, gasoline, propane, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other
household products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
?,? Outdoor activity. Individuals are encouraged to take part in outdoor activities such as walking, biking, hiking, or running. Individuals may not engage in team or contact sports such as basketball, soccer, or football, as these activities do not comply with the Social Distancing Requirements. Playgrounds are closed.
?,? Take care of others. Individuals may care for a family member, friend, or pet in another household, and transport family members, friends, or pets.
Essential Businesses and Operations: The following are allowed.
?,? Essential Businesses and Operations shall, to the greatest extent possible, use technology to avoid meeting in person, including virtual meetings, teleconference, and remote work (i.e., work from home).
?,? For the full list of determined “Essential” and “Non-Essential” businesses and operations, please refer to the full Order: https://www.clarkcountywi.com/.
o Stores that sell groceries and medicine will remain open (such as grocery stores, farm and produce stands, pharmacies, food pantries, and convenience stores). However, when shopping at these retailers, individuals should try to maintain 6 feet between themselves and others.
?,? Food and beverage manufacturing, production, processing, transportation, and cultivation; farming, livestock, fishing, baking, and other production agriculture, including cultivation, marketing, production, and distribution of animals and goods for consumption; businesses that provide food, shelter, and other necessities of life for animals, including animal shelters, boarding, rescues, kennels, and adopting facilities; farm and agriculture equipment, supplies, and repair services are allowed.
?,? If you believe your business or operation should be included in this order as an “Essential Business or Operation,” please consult the information page on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) website, www.wedc.org/essentialbusiness.
Restaurants: All restaurants must close aside from carry out and delivery services.
?,? Restaurants may remain open for food take-out or delivery service only (self-service stations such as salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets are not allowed). Customers are not allowed to self-dispense any unpackaged food or beverage.
?,? Customers may enter establishments only for the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food or beverage or both.
?,? No seating may be provided.
?,? Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either indoors or outdoors.
?,? Establishments shall meet the Social Distancing Requirements between all individuals on the premises to the extent possible.
Bars: All bars must close. However, carryout sales of alcohol beverages and food are allowed if permitted by state law and municipal ordinance.
?,? Delivery of alcohol beverages to retail customers is not allowed.
?,? Wineries holding direct wine shippers' permits may make deliveries of wine in accordance with their permit.
?,? Customers may enter wineries and bars only for the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food or beverage or both.
?,? No seating may be provided.
?,? Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either indoors or outdoors.
?,? Establishments shall meet the Social Distancing Requirements between all individuals on the premises to the extent possible.
?,? Self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets are prohibited.
?,? Customers are prohibited from self-dispensing any unpackaged food or beverage.
Child Care Settings:
?,? Child care settings will remain open, but may not operate with more than 10 staff present at a time and may not operate with 50 or more children present at a time. For additional guidance, please refer to the full order.
Weddings, funerals, and religious entities:
?,? Religious facilities, entities, and groups and gatherings (such as weddings and funerals) must include fewer than 10 people in a room or confined space at a time and individuals must adhere to the Social Distancing Requirements as much as possible.
o Funeral establishments (as defined in Wis. Stat. § 445.01(6)) may not have more than 10 people in a room or confined space at a time and individuals must adhere to the Social Distancing Requirements as much as possible.
Post Offices: Businesses that provide shipping and delivery services will remain open.
Social Distancing Requirements:
?,? For purposes of this Order, the Social Distancing Requirement includes maintaining social distancing of 6 feet between people; washing hands with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer; covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands); regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces; not shaking hands; and following all other public health recommendations issued by Department of Health Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
How This Impacts Clark County Operations:
?,? In response to the Governor’s Safer at Home Order along with guidance received from State and Federal partners as well as from the Clark County Health Department, Clark County is taking the following steps to help contain the spread of the current pandemic. Clark County operations remain open with limited public access. Clark County Courts will remain open for public access. Individuals should call the Clerk of Courts at 715-743-5181 or the Judicial Assistant at 715-743-5172. Starting March 25, 2020, public entry into County facilities including the Courthouse, Highway facilities, and Adult Development Services facilities will be limited to appointment only. General public traffic in County facilities will not be allowed. Anyone seeking County services must contact the department of interest directly and make an appointment. The department will provide instructions for accessing the County facility. The public may contact the County Clerk’s Office at 715-743-5148 to be connected to departments if needed. We continue to encourage people to use alternate means of communicating with County departments such as telephone, email, U.S Mail, etc. to conduct business where possible. Questions related to changes in service and methods of contact should be directed by telephone to the department you need to make contact with. Signage has been placed at the entry points to County facilities limiting public access.
We understand that the order to practice social distancing presents a great concern for you and your community. Our intention is not to limit your day-to-day activities, but to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by having temporary restrictions in place. We appreciate your cooperation as each person in our community plays a role in the overall health of our county.
Please direct questions to the Clark County Health Department: (715) 743-5105.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.