Wisconsin bars, restaurants and stores will be limited to 25 percent capacity under a new order issued Tuesday by Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services.
The order goes into effect at 8 a.m on Thursday and will last through Nov. 6. The order makes exemptions for schools, campaign events and health care facilities, among others. It does not apply to outdoor spaces.
The drastic measure comes as new cases of Covid-19 in the state have spiraled out of control, with many of the state's metropolitan areas among the hardest-hit hot spots in the county.
“We’re in a crisis right now and need to immediately change our behavior to save lives,” Evers said in a statement. “We are continuing to experience a surge in cases and many of our hospitals are overwhelmed, and I believe limiting indoor public gatherings will help slow the spread of this virus. Folks, we need your help and we need all Wisconsinites to work together during this difficult time. The sooner we get control of this virus, the sooner our economy, communities, and state can bounce back.”
According to the governor's office, Wisconsin had the third highest number of new Covid-19 cases over the past seven days (17,641 cases), behind only California and Texas -- two states with considerably larger populations.