State  of Wisconsin
Department of Health Services
Tony Evers, Governor
Andrea Palm, Secretary

EMERGENCY ORDER  #12 ~ SAFER  AT HOME ORDER

WHEREAS,  in  December, 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus was detected, now  named COVID-19, and it has spread throughout the  world, including every  state in  the  United States;

WHEREAS,  on  January 30,  2020, the World Health Organization declared  COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern;

WHEREAS,  on  March 12,  2020, Governor Tony Evers declared a public health emergency to direct all  resources needed to respond to and contain COVID-19 in Wisconsin;

WHEREAS,  Governor Evers designated the  Department of Health Services as the  lead agency to respond to the emergency and directed the Department to take all  necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and respond to incidents of COVID-19 in Wisconsin;

WHEREAS,  on  March 13,  2020, President Donald Trump proclaimed a

National Emergency concerning COVID-19;

WHEREAS,  as of March 23,  2020, 332,930 people around the world have tested positive for  COVID-19, including 33,404  in  the  United States and 416 in Wisconsin;

WHEREAS,  as of March 23,  2020, within the  past 72  hours, positive COVID-19 cases  have risen in  the  United States from 15,219 to 33,404 (119% increase) and have risen in Wisconsin from 206 to 416 (102% increase). Five Wisconsinites have passed away as a result of COVID-19. Public health officials estimate that the  actual number of Wisconsinites  infected with COVID-19 is significantly higher and likely present in every county in  the  state;

WHEREAS,  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;

WHEREAS,  the  entire State of Wisconsin- including residents, businesses, community organizations, and government- need to take all possible actions to reduce further spread of COVID-19 to save lives;

1 West Wilson Street • Post Office Box 7850 • Madison, \\!I 53707-7850 • Telephone 608-266-9622 •

www.dhs.wisconsin.gov  

Protecting, promoting the health, safety of the people of Wisconsin

 

WHEREAS, social distancing – the  practice of keeping at least six feet apart from  others and  avoiding direct physical contact- is the  only effective means of slowing the  rate  of infection. Despite prior  emergency orders banning mass gatherings, the  rates of infection continue to drastically increase, necessitating additional measures to slow the  rate  of infection and  save  lives; and

WHEREAS, this is a critical moment in Wisconsin and we must all do our  part to cease non-essential travel, business, and social interactions;

NOW THEREFORE,  under the  authority of Wis. Stat. § 252.02(3) and  (6) and all powers vested in me through Executive Order #72,  and at the  direction of Governor Tony  Evers, I, Andrea Palm, Secretary-designee of the  Wisconsin Department of Health Services, order the  following:

1. Stay at home or place of residence. All individuals present within the State of Wisconsin are  ordered to stay at home or at their place  of residence, with  exceptions outlined below. To the  extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces other than their home or residence, they  must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from  any  other person consistent with  Social

Distancing Requirements as defined below,  except that they  do not  need to maintain social distancing between family  members in a single  living unit or household members. All persons may  leave  their homes or residences only for the  following  functions as are  defined in this Order:

1. Essential Activities (defined in section 11);
2. Essential Governmental Functions (defined in section 12);
3. To operate Essential Businesses and Operations (defined  in section 13);
4. To perform non-essential Minimum Basic Operations (defined in section 14);
5. Essential Travel  (defined  in section 15); and
6. Special Situations (defined  in section 8, 9,  and  10).

 

Individuals experiencing homelessness are  exempt from  this Section, but are  strongly urged to obtain shelter. Governmental and  other entities are  strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon  as possible to the  maximum extent practicable and  to follow the  Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and  the  U.S.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on  COVID-19  risk  mitigation practices.

Individuals whose homes or residences are  unsafe or become unsafe, such as victims of domestic violence, are  permitted and  urged to leave their home  and stay  at a safe  alternative location. For  purposes of this Order, homes or residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units, dormitories, shelters, and similar facilities.

Non-essential business and operations must cease. All for-profit and non-profit businesses with  a facility  in Wisconsin, except Essential Businesses and Operations as defined below,  are  required to cease all activities at facilities located within Wisconsin, except:

2. Minimum Basic Operations, as defined below, and
3. Any operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own home or residences (i.e., working from  home).

All businesses, including 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). Businesses may  not  engage in door-to-door solicitation, regardless of its  purpose or status as an Essential Business or Operation.

All Essential Businesses and Operations are  encouraged to remain open. To the  greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses and Operations shall comply with  Social  Distancing Requirements as defined in this Order; in doing so,  Essential Businesses and Operations shall, to the  greatest extent possible, ensure that both employees and members of the  public are  maintaining six-foot social distancing, including but  not  limited to when any  customers are  standing in line.

3. Prohibited activities. All public and private gatherings of any number of people  that are  not  part of a single household or living unit are prohibited, except for the  limited purposes expressly permitted in this Order. Nothing in this Order prohibits the  gathering of members of a single household or living  unit. Landlords or rental property managers shall avoid  entering leased residential premises unless emergency maintenance is required.
4. 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. This section does  not  apply to facilities operated by the  Wisconsin Department of Corrections or the  Department of Military  Affairs including the  Challenge Academy.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Prohibited and permitted travel. All forms of travel are  prohibited, except for Essential Travel  as defined in this Order. Individuals riding on  public transit must comply with  Social Distancing Requirements to the  greatest extent possible.
4. Follow DHS and CDC guidelines. When  taking any  action permitted under this Order, all individuals, organizations, government bodies, and any  other permitted group of individuals shall, to the  extent possible, follow DHS guidelines located here:

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm.

All Essential Businesses and  Operations and all businesses performing Minimum Basic Operations shall comply with  DHS guidelines for businesses located here:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid –19/employers.htm.

7. Elderly people and those who  are vulnerable as a result of underlying health conditions should take additional precautions. People  at high  risk  of severe illness from  COVID-19  and people  who  are sick  are  urged to stay in their home or residence to the  extent possible except as necessary to seek  medical care. Nothing in this Order prevents DHS and local  health officials  from  issuing and enforcing isolation and quarantine orders pursuant to Wis. Stat. ch.  252  and local ordinances.

 

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

 

8. Healthcare and Public Health Operations. For  purposes of this Order, individuals may  leave  their residence to work  for or obtain services at any Healthcare and  Public Health Operations.

 

Healthcare and Public Health Operations includes, but is not  limited to: hospitals; medical facilities; clinics; ambulatory surgery centers for response to urgent health issues or related COVID-19  activities; manufacturers, technicians, logistics, and warehouse operators and distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood  and blood  products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing disinfecting

or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel  products; dental offices;  pharmacies; public health entities, including those that compile, model, analyze, and  communicate public health information; pharmaceutical, pharmacy, medical device  and equipment, and biotechnology companies (including operations, research and development, manufacture, and supply chain); healthcare information technology companies; organizations collecting blood,  platelets, plasma, and other necessary materials; obstetricians, gynecologists, and midwife  practices; eye care centers, including those that sell glasses and contact lenses; home health agencies and providers; mental health and substance abuse providers; detoxification and alcohol or drug treatment programs and facilities; syringe access programs, and naloxone distribution programs; other healthcare facilities and suppliers and providers of any  related or any  ancillary healthcare services; entities that transport and dispose of medical materials and remains; personal care agencies; hospices; allied  health providers; acupuncturists; massage therapists; chiropractors; and adult family homes.

Specifically included in Healthcare and Public Health Operations are manufacturers, technicians, logistics, and warehouse operators and distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood  and blood  products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing disinfecting or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel  products.

Healthcare and Public Health Operations also  includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals. Non-essential veterinary care should be avoided.

Cafeterias and food service in health care facilities may  remain open for staff  and authorized visitors only,  subject to the  following restrictions:

1. Self-service operations of salad bars, beverages stations, and buffets are prohibited.
2. Customers are prohibited from  self-dispensing any unpackaged food or beverage.
3. Customers and staff shall comply with  Social  Distancing

Requirements, including in seating areas and  lines.

Healthcare and Public Health Operations shall be broadly construed to avoid  any  impediments to the  delivery of healthcare, broadly defined. Healthcare and Public Health Operations does not  include fitness and exercise gyms,  hair salons, barber shops, nail  salons, day  spas, electrolysis providers, tattoo parlors, body  art establishments, tanning facilities, and similar facilities.

9. Human Service Operations. For purposes of this Order, individuals may  leave  their residence to work  for or obtain services at any  state, institutional, or community-based setting providing human services to the  public.

Human Service Operations includes, but is not  limited to: long-term care and assisted living facilities, as long  as the  facility  follows all current DHS Recommendations for Prevention of COVID-19  in Long­ Term Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities and all applicable U.S. Centers for Disease Control Recommendations; residential settings and shelters for adults, seniors, children, victims of domestic abuse, people with disabilities, people  with  substance use disorders, or mental illness; transitional facilities; home-based settings to provide services to individuals with  physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, seniors, adults, or children; adult day  care, adult day  services, and supportive home care; field offices  that provide and help  to determine eligibility for basic needs including food,  cash assistance, medical coverage, vocational services, or rehabilitation services; developmental centers; adoption agencies; 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.

Human Services Operations shall be construed broadly to avoid  any impacts to the  delivery of human services, broadly defined.

10. Essential Infrastructure. For  purposes of this Order, individuals may leave  their residence to provide any  services or perform any  work necessary to offer,  provide, operate, maintain, and repair Essential Infrastructure.

Essential Infrastructure includes, but is not  limited to: food production, distribution, fulfillment centers, storage facilities, marinas, and sales; construction (including, but  not  limited to, construction required in

response to this public health emergency, hospital construction, construction of long-term care  and  assisted living facilities, public works construction, school construction, Essential Business and Operations construction, construction necessary for Essential Governmental Functions, and housing construction, except that optional or aesthetic construction should be avoided); building management and maintenance; airport operations; operation and maintenance of utilities, including water, sewer, gas,  and electric (including power  generation, distribution, production of raw  materials, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-certified and registered drinking water and wastewater testing laboratories); Wisconsin Home  Energy Assistance, Low Income Home  Energy Assistance Program, and Public Benefits Energy Assistance Program offices,  customer service centers, and public intake centers; distribution centers; oil and  biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid  waste and recycling collection and  removal; and internet, video,  and telecommunications systems (including the  provision of essential global,  national, and local  infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services).

Essential Infrastructure shall be construed broadly to avoid  any impacts to essential infrastructure,  broadly defined.

DEFINITIONS

1. Essential Activities. Individuals may  leave  their home or residence to perform any  of the  following:
2. Health and safety. To engage 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, such as, by way of example only  and  without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, seeking emergency services, or visiting a health care  or behavior health care  professional. Individuals should rely on  telehealth options whenever feasible.
3. Necessary supplies and services. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family  or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as,  by way of example only  and without limitation: canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, gasoline, propane, pet supply, fresh meats, fish,  and poultry, and any  other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
4. Outdoor activity. To engage in outdoor activity, including visiting public and state parks, provided individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined below.  Such activities include, by way of example and without limitation, walking, biking, hiking, or running. Individuals may  not  engage in team or contact sports such as by way of example and without limitation, basketball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, or football, as these activities do not  comply with  Social  Distancing Requirements. Playgrounds are  closed.
5. Certain types of work. To perform work  at Essential Businesses or Operations or to otherwise carry out  activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations and obtaining supplies needed to work  from  home.
6. Take care of others. To care  for a family  member, friend, or pet in another household, and to transport family  members, friends, or pets as allowed  in this Order.

 

1. Essential Governmental Functions. Essential Governmental Functions means all services provided by the State, tribal, or local governments needed to ensure the  continuing operation of the government body  and  provide and support  the  health, safety, and welfare  of the  public. Each government body  shall determine its Essential Government Function, if any, and identify employees and contractors necessary to the  performance of those functions.

For  purposes of this Order, all paid  or volunteer first  responders including law enforcement, EMS,  and firefighters; first  responder training academies; building inspectors; emergency management personnel; emergency dispatchers; court personnel, jurors and grand jurors; corrections personnel; hazardous materials responders; child protection and child  welfare  personnel; housing and shelter personnel; National Guard and military; and others working for or to support Essential Businesses and Operations are  categorically exempt from  this Order.

This  section does  not  limit  the  ability or authority of the  Wisconsin Supreme Court to use its  constitutional supervisory authority over lower courts to limit  or adjust court functions in response to the  Public Health Emergency. This  section does  not  limit  the  ability or authority of the  Wisconsin Legislature to meet or conduct business.

Government bodies should continue to follow the  Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of Open  Government guidance regarding holding government meetings, and should consult directly with  that office regarding specific open  meetings questions. The  guidance is available here:  https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/office-open  government-advisory-additional-information-regarding-covid-19-and­open. Government bodies with  additional questions about open meetings requirements should consult with  the  Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of Open  Government.

13. Essential Businesses and Operations.  All entities described in this section shall meet  Social  Distancing Requirements between all individuals on  the  premises to the  extent possible. 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  purposes of this Order, Essential Businesses and Operations means Healthcare and Public Health Operations, Human Services Operations, Essential Infrastructure, and Essential Governmental Functions, and the following:

 

13. CISA List. Any business or worker identified in the  U.S.

Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency  (CISA), Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response, updated March 23,  2020, and any subsequent versions of this Memorandum.

1. Stores that sell groceries and medicine. Grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food  banks and food  pantries, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the  retail sale  of groceries, canned food,  dry  goods, frozen  foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish,  poultry, prepared food,  alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and any  other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). Such establishments shall:
2. Close  all seating intended for consuming food.
3. Cease any  self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets.
4. Except for grocery stores, prohibit customers from  self­ dispensing all unpackaged food.

1. Abide  by Social  Distancing Requirements.

This  section should not  be interpreted to provide an  exemption for businesses engaged in the  sale  of food or beverage ancillary to its  primary purpose, such as those businesses required to close  under Section 4 who  also  may  engage in some  food or beverage sales

1. Food and beverage production, transport, and  agriculture.

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.

1. Restaurants. Restaurants shall close, except as follows:
2. Restaurants may remain open  for food take-out or delivery service only.
3. Alcohol  sales must comply with  section 13.e.  below.
4. Customers may  enter the  above  establishments only  for the  purpose of ordering, pick  up,  and paying for food or beverage or both.

1v.  No seating may  be provided.

1. Food  and drink may  not  be consumed on  premises, either indoors or outdoors.

v1.  Establishments shall meet  Social  Distancing

Requirements between all individuals on  the  premises to the  extent possible.

Vll.    Cease any  self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets.

vn1.  Customers are  prohibited from  self-dispensing any unpackaged food or beverage.

1. Bars. This includes breweries, brewpubs, wineries, distilleries, and alcohol beverage retailers. Such establishments  shall close, except as follows:
2. Carryout sales of alcohol beverages and food are  allowed, if permitted by state law and municipal ordinance.
3. Delivery  of alcohol beverages to retail customers is prohibited.
4. Wineries holding direct wine  shippers’ permits may  make deliveries of wine in accordance with  their permit.

1v.  Customers may enter the  above establishments only  for the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food  or beverage or  both.

1. No seating may be  provided.

v1.  Food  and drink may not be consumed on  premises, either indoors or  outdoors.

v11.    Establishments shall meet Social Distancing

Requirements between all individuals on  the premises to the extent possible.

vn1.   Self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets are prohibited.

1x.  Customers are  prohibited from self-dispensing any unpackaged food  or  beverage.

1. Child  care  settings. Secretary-designee Andrea Palm’s Emergency Order #6  remains in  effect, with the following amendments:

 

1. Child care settings shall prioritize care for families as follows:
2. Tier 1: employees, contractors, and other support staff  working in  health care;
3. Tier 2: employees, contractors, and other staff in vital areas including but not limited to military; long term care; residential care; pharmacies; child care; child welfare; government operations; public safety and critical infrastructure such as sanitation, transportation, utilities, telecommunications; grocery and food  services; supply chain operations; and other sectors as determined by the Secretary  of the  Department of Children and Families.

 

1. Child care settings include all licensed and certified child care providers who may provide care for any age  or  ages of children up to  13 years of age,  unless specially licensed for children with disabilities up to  19  years of age.

 

1. Organizations that provide charitable and social services.

Businesses and religious and secular nonprofit organizations, including prevocational group supportive employment, food banks and food  pantries, when providing food,  shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or  otherwise needy individuals, individuals who need assistance as a result of this public health emergency, and people with disabilities.

1. Weddings, funerals, and religious entities. Religious facilities, entities, groups, and gatherings, and weddings and  funerals, except that any  gathering shall include fewer  than 10  people  in a room  or confined space at a time  and individuals shall adhere to Social Distancing Requirements as much as possible.

 

445. Funeral establishments. Funeral establishments,  as defined in Wis. Stat. § 445.01(6), except that any  gathering shall include fewer  than 10  people  in a room  or confined space at a time  and individuals shall adhere to Social Distancing Requirements as much as possible.

 

1. Media. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services.
2. Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation. Gas stations; auto and motorcycle supply, repair and sales; boat supply, repair, and sales; and bicycle  supply, repair, and sales.

 

1. Financial institutions and services. Banks, credit unions, and other depository or lending institutions; licensed financial

service providers; insurance  services; personnel necessary to perform essential functions at broker dealers and investment

advisor offices.

 

1. Hardware and supplies stores. Hardware stores and businesses that sell electrical, plumbing, heating, and construction material.

 

1. Critical trades. Building and Construction Tradesmen and Tradeswomen, and other trades including but not limited to plumbers, electricians, carpenters, laborers, sheet metal, iron workers, masonry, pipe  trades, fabricators, finishers, exterminators, pesticide application, cleaning and janitorial

staff  for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, forestry and arborists, and other service providers who provide services that are  necessary to maintaining the  safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, and Essential Businesses and Operations.

 

1. Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and  pick-up services. Post  offices and other businesses that provide shipping and delivery services, and businesses  that ship or deliver  groceries, food,  beverages, goods or services to end  users or through commercial channels.

 

1. Laundry services. Laundromats, dry  cleaners, industrial laundry services, and laundry service providers.

 

1. Supplies to work  from  home. Businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply products needed for people  to work from  home.

 

1. Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations and Essential Governmental Functions. Businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply other Essential Businesses and Operations and Essential Governmental Functions with  the support or supplies necessary to operate, including computers; audio and  video  electronics; household appliances; IT and telecommunication equipment; hardware; paint; flat  glass; electrical, plumbing, and heating materials; construction materials and equipment; sanitary equipment; personal hygiene products; food, food additives, ingredients, and components; medical and orthopedic equipment; firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers for purposes of safety and security; optics and  photography equipment; diagnostic; food and beverages; chemicals; paper and paper products; soaps and detergents.

 

1. Transportation. Airlines, taxis, transportation  network providers (such as Uber  and Lyft), vehicle rental services, paratransit, and other private, public, and commercial transportation and logistics providers necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized  in this Order.

 

1. Home-based care and  services. Home-based care  for seniors, adults, children, and/ or people  with  disabilities, substance use disorders, and/ or mental illness, including caregivers or nannies who  may  travel to the  child’s home to provide care, and other in-home services including meal delivery.

 

1. Professional services. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, insurance services, real  estate services (including appraisal, home inspection, and title  services). These services 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).

 

1. v. Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries.  Manufacturing companies, distributors, and  supply chain companies producing and supplying essential products and  services in and  for industries such as pharmaceutical,  technology, biotechnology, healthcare, chemicals and  sanitation, waste  pickup and  disposal, agriculture, food and  beverage,  transportation, energy,  steel  and steel  products, petroleum and  fuel, mining,  construction, national defense,  communications, and  products used by other Essential Governmental Functions and  Essential Businesses and  Operations.

 

1. Critical labor union functions. Essential activities include the administration of health and welfare funds and  personnel checking on the  well-being  and  safety  of members providing services in Essential Business and  Operations, provided  the checks are done  by telephone or remotely  where  possible.

 

1. x. Hotels and motels. Hotels and  motels,  except  that such establishments shall:

 

1. 1. Comply with requirements of b, 12.d. and  12.e.
2. Close swimming pools, hot tubs, and  exercise  facilities.
3. Prohibit guests from congregating in lobbies  or other common areas, including providing  adequate space to adhere to Social Distancing Requirements while queuing for front desk  services.

 

1. y. Higher educational institutions. Higher educational institutions, for purposes of facilitating distance learning, performing critical  research, or performing essential functions as determined by the  in

 

1. z. WEDC designated businesses. In the exceptional circumstance that a business is not listed in this  Order  as an Essential Business or Operations but believes that it should be included

in that designation, the  business should consult the information page on the  Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) website, here:

www.wedc.org/essentialbusiness.  If a business still believes that it does  not fall within  the  meaning of Essential Businesses and Operations, it may apply to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) using the provided  form requesting designation as such.

 

14. Minimum Basic Operations. For the  purposes of this Order, Minimum Basic Operations include the  following,  provided that employees comply with  Social Distancing Requirements, to the  extent possible, while carrying out  such operations:

 

1. The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, preserve the  condition of the  business’s physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and  employee benefits, or for related functions, including where these functions are  outsourced to other entities.

 

1. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being  able  to continue to work  remotely from  their residences.

 

15. Essential Travel. Individuals engaged in any Essential Travel must comply with  Social  Distancing Requirements to the  extent possible. For the  purposes of this Order, Essential Travel includes:

 

1. Any travel related to the provision of or access to Essential Activities, Special Situations, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses and Operations, or Minimum Basic Operations.
2. Travel to care  for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.
3. Travel to or from  educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, or any  other related services.
4. Travel to return to a place of residence from  outside the jurisdiction.
5. Travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.
6. Travel  required for non-residents to return to their place  of residence outside Wisconsin. Individuals are  strongly encouraged to verify that their transportation out  of Wisconsin remains available and functional prior  to commencing such travel.

 

16. Social Distancing Requirements. For purposes of this Order, Social Distancing Requirements includes maintaining social distancing of six (6) feet  between people; washing hands with  soap and water for at least 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 DHS and the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

 

ENFORCEMENT

 

17. Enforcement. This Order is enforceable by any  local  law enforcement official,  including county sheriffs. 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.

 

18. Severability. If any provision of this Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held  to be invalid, then the  remainder of the Order, including the  application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not  be affected and shall continue in full force  and effect.   To this end, the  provisions of this Order are severable.

 

19. Supremacy. This Order supersedes any local  order that is in conflict with  this order.

 

20. Duration. This  Order shall become effective  at 8:00a.m. on Wednesday, March 25,  2020 and will remain in effect  until 8:00 a.m. on Friday,

;    April 24,  2020, or until a superseding order is issued.

 

Secretary-designee

Department of Health Services

State of Wisconsin