MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers has formally issued a new public health emergency and extended the mask mandate until March 20, 2021.
The governor signed both Executive Order #104 and Emergency Order #1 on Tuesday.
Executive Order #104 proclaims a new public health emergency, designating the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as the lead agency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and authorizing the Adjutant General to activate the Wisconsin National Guard if needed.
Emergency Order #1 essentially renews the mask mandate, requiring residents to wear face coverings indoors or in an enclosed space other than a private residence, with some exceptions such as eating or drinking or communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.
The current mask mandate expired Tuesday. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is currently weighing a challenge to that mask mandate.
The court struck down the governor's 'Safer at Home' order last May, arguing his administration overstepped its authority when it extended the COVID-19 order without consulting the legislature.
Since last spring, Gov. Evers has now issued four public health emergencies, among a number of other, coronavirus-related orders. Evers issued the first mask mandate in July of 2020.
The governor issued the following statement:
“We’re working every day to get vaccines distributed and get shots in arms to get our state back to some sort of normal. At the end of the day, vaccine supplies are limited, so while we continue to ask the federal government for more vaccines and faster, we have to keep working together to stop the spread today by continuing wear our masks, staying home whenever we can, avoiding gatherings, and doubling down on our efforts to keep our friends, neighbors, and families safe.”
See the two orders embedded below.
Mask mandate:
Public health emergency: