Gov. Tony Evers has extended Wisconsin's statewide mask mandate and issued a new public health emergency today. The mandate, which had been set to expire on Monday, has been extended until Nov. 21.
The actions come as Wisconsin has seen new cases of Covid-19 skyrocket, led by outbreaks on college campuses across the state. Last week the state recorded more than 2,500 new cases of Covid-19 in a single day for the first time.
Evers said that 18- to 24-year-olds have been driving new cases in the state.
“We continue to learn more about this virus, but what we do know is that we are facing a new and dangerous phase of the Covid-19 pandemic here in Wisconsin,” Evers said in a statement. “We are seeing an alarming increase in cases across our state, especially on campus. We need folks to start taking this seriously, and young people especially — please stay home as much as you are able, skip heading to the bars, and wear a mask whenever you go out. We need your help to stop the spread of this virus, and we all have to do this together.”
Under the new mask order, Wisconsin residents ages five and older are required to wear a face covering when they are in an enclosed space with anyone outside their household. The order allows for medical exemptions.