Governor Evers has officially issued his Safer at Home order. As the order is 16 pages long and contains many exemptions, please read it in full if you have questions. It will go into effect at 8 a.m. on March 25 and end at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24.
Wisconsinites are ordered to stay at home during this time except for certain activities, which are outlined at the bottom of this post. According to the Governor, individuals will not need special permission to leave their homes.
Schools remain closed under the order except for facilitating virtual or distance learning or food distribution. Public libraries will also be closed but they can continue to provide on-line programming.
All public and private gatherings of any number of people are prohibited (exceptions are provided for funerals, weddings and religious facilities with less than 10 people in a room).
The order closes all for-profit and non-profit businesses except those listed as essential by the order. Essential businesses must continue to follow social distancing recommendations and use technology to minimize in-person meetings.
Essential businesses and functions include (but are not limited to):
- All health care and in-home care providers
- Pharmacies
- Long-term care and assisted living facilities
- Businesses and religious or secular nonprofit organizations that provide charitable and social services.
- Weddings, funerals and religious entities with less than 10 people in a room
- Child care settings limited to 10 staff and 50 children. They must prioritize providing care to children of health care workers or employees of other vital areas
- Adult day care and adult day services
- Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, or other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals, individuals with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or otherwise needy individuals
- Essential government functions like law enforcement, firefighters and EMS
- Adoption agencies
- Public transportation, taxis, Uber/Lyft, paratransit
- Grocery stores, food banks, restaurants and bars offering delivery or take out
- Airlines
- Gas stations
- Banks and credit unions
- Hotels and motels
- Critical trades like plumbers and electricians
- Post offices and delivery services
- Media
- Hardware and supply stores
- Laundromats and dry cleaners
- Professional services like legal, accounting and real estate
- And many more specific jobs (please read the full order for a comprehensive list)
Wisconsin residents will be 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;
- Go to work at an essential business;
- Engage in outdoor activities like walking, running, biking and hiking as long as they follow social distancing guidelines; and
- Care for older adults, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.
