MADISON (NBC 26) -- Gov. Tony Evers has directed Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to issue Emergency Order #3 limiting public gatherings to no more than 25 percent of a room or building’s total occupancy.
A statement from the Governor's office said the order is effective at 8 a.m. on Oct. 8 and will remain in effect until Nov. 6, 2020.
The order applies to any gatherings at locations that are open to the public such as stores, restaurants, and other businesses that allow public entry, as well as spaces with ticketed events.
“We’re in a crisis right now and need to immediately change our behavior to save lives,” said Gov. Evers.
See full the order and list of exemptions here.
FULL ORDER.pdf by TODAY'S TMJ4
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson issued the following statement in response to the new order:
“We live in a national hot spot. Not since World War II, has a governor been confronted with such an existential threat as COVID19. While there has certainly been no shortage of debate on the governor’s actions, we are well beyond squabbling. It is time the legislature ends the partisanship and political gamesmanship and support our governor. Lawsuits will not limit the spread of the virus.
Threats to our public health officers will not move COVID into the next county. Excuse making will not make the virus go away.I fully support the governor’s sensible and much needed mass gathering order to arrest the increasing and alarming rate of growth of COVID cases in the Fox Valley as well as his provision for CARES Act support for businesses.
Finally, I want to thank the medical community, including our own health care professionals. They constitute the last line of defense against COVID. The least we can do to honor their work is support the Secretary’s order.”
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) President & CEO Kurt Bauer also released a statement on the order:
“Wisconsin businesses have taken countless steps to protect their employees, customers and the public from day one of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical professionals have said the recent spikes are because individuals are not following the same strict safety guidelines that businesses have implemented. Unfortunately, Gov. Evers’ order will cause even more harm to already-suffering businesses while failing to actually slow the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. Our state’s employers have been true leaders when it comes to health and safety, and this order will just serve to economically punish them when they can least afford it.”