Just one day after issuing an order limiting gatherings in Wisconsin to under 50 people, Gov. Tony Evers has tightened those restrictions, directing the Department of Health Services to prohibit gatherings of 10 or more people as the state rushes to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The order makes exceptions for transportation, educational institutions, child care, hotels, military, law enforcement, food pantries, hospitals and long-term care facilities, but closes bars around the state and limits restaurants to take out and delivery. Most Milwaukee County municipalities had already ordered that bars close.
There are exemptions for retail stores, but malls are closed under the order. You can read a complete list of exemptions here.
"I know what this means for our business community and the struggle they and their workers will face in the coming weeks," Evers wrote in a series of tweets. "With limited tests available nationwide and Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Dane counties showing community spread, we have to take every precaution."
A few moments ago, I announced that at 5pm tonight bars will be closed and restaurants will be take-out or delivery only statewide. Our top priority at this time is to keep Wisconsinites safe and healthy by reducing the spread of COVID-19, especially for those who are high-risk.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) March 17, 2020
Health officials around the country have testified to the need to “flatten the curve,” slowing the spread of the virus through social distancing in order to prevent a spike in cases that would overwhelm the U.S. hospital system.
