Star Journal

Under the authority of Wisconsin State Statute § 252.02(3) and at the direction of Governor Tony Evers, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm has ordered a statewide moratorium on mass gatherings of 50 or more people to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

As of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all public and private mass gatherings are prohibited in the State of Wisconsin. This order will remain in effect for the duration of the public health emergency declared in Governor Evers’ Executive Order #72, or until a superseding order is issued.

“Mass gathering” is any planned or spontaneous, public or private event or convening that will bring together or is likely to bring together 50 or more people in a single room or single confined or enclosed space at the same time.

This order may include, but is not limited to mass gatherings at: public or private schools, auditoriums, theatres, movie theaters, museums, stadiums, arenas, conference rooms, meeting halls, exhibition centers, taverns, health and fitness centers, recreation centers, licensed pools, places of worship and religious gatherings.

This order EXEMPTS the following:
1. Airports;
2. Public, private, and charter schools only for non instructional purposes, such as medication pickup, childcare services, providing meals, and when operating as polling places;
3. Childcare locations (including those that operate within a facility that is otherwise prohibited), residential care centers, and group homes;
4. Hotels and motels as long as the restaurant and bar guidelines, listed below in section 15, are followed;
5. Military and National Guard facilities;
6. Law enforcement, jails, and correctional facilities, including any facility operation by the Department of Corrections, and responses to natural disasters;
7. Food pantries and shelter facilities, including day centers, for individuals and families;
8. Detoxification centers;
9. Residential buildings;
10. Shopping malls and other retail establishments where large numbers of people are present but are generally not within arm’s length of one another for more than 10 minutes;
11. Hospitals, medical facilities, and pharmacies;
12. Long-term care and assisted living facilities, as long as the facility follows all current Department of Health Services’ Recommendations for Prevention of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities.
13. Libraries;
14. Senior Centers only for the service of meals as long as the requirements listed below are followed:
    a. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between tables, booths, bar stools, and ordering counters;
    b. Cease self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets; and
    c. Prohibit consumers from self-dispensing all unpackaged foods.
15. Restaurants and bars as long as the requirements listed below are followed:
     a. Operate at 50 percent of seating capacity or 50 total people, whichever is less;
  b. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between tables, booths, bar stools, and ordering counters;
     c. Cease self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets; and
    d. Prohibit customers from self-dispensing all unpackaged food and beverages.
16. Retail food establishments (grocery stores, convenience stores, farmer’s markets) as long as the requirements listed below are followed:
    a. If seating is offered, must operate at 50 percent of seating capacity or 50 total people, whichever is less;
  b. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between tables, booths, bar stools, and ordering counters;
  c. Cease self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets; and
  d. Prohibit customers from self-dispensing all unpackaged food.
17. Office spaces and government service centers;
18. Manufacturing, processing, distribution, and production facilities;
19. Public transportations;
20. Utility facilities;
21. Job centers; and
22. Facilities operated by the Wisconsin Legislature and Wisconsin Court System.

“Oneida County Health Department is keeping track of this outbreak,” said Linda Conlon, Oneida County Health Officer. “We are working closely with federal, state, and local partners to be prepared for any changes to the situation here and to make sure information is shared with the public.”

All gatherings that bring together or are likely to bring together fewer than 50 people in a single room or confined space at the same time must:

1. Operate at 50 percent of seating capacity,
2. Preserve social distancing of 6 feet between people, and
3. Follow all other public health recommendations issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Health and the Oneida County Health Department.

Violation or obstruction of this order is punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both under Wisconsin State Statute § 252.25.

While the risk of getting the illness remains low, people should follow simple steps to avoid getting sick, including:
• Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Stay home when sick.
• Practice social distancing.

To read the latest information about COVID-19 people can check the Oneida County Health Department website.