Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm issued a “Safer at Home” order to go into effect 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, through 8 a.m. Friday, April 24, 2020 or until a superseding order is issued.

Gov. Tony Evers stated in a press release that the order isn’t something he thought he would be doing, nor does he take it lightly.

“Here’s the bottom line,” Evers stated. “Folks need to start taking this seriously. Each and every one of us has to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can flatten the curve to ensure our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers have the opportunity to do their important work.”

View the order here.

Under this order, Wisconsin residents are able to: 

• Perform tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor;
• Get necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food and supplies necessary for staying at home;
• Care for a family member in another household; and
• Care for older adults, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons.

Businesses allowed to operate under the Safer at Home order include, but are not limited to: 

• Health care operations, including home health workers;
• Critical infrastructure;
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable individuals;
• Fresh and non-perishable food retailers, including convenience stores, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and food banks;
• Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food and goods directly to residences;
• Pharmacies, health care supply stores and health care facilities;
• Child care facilities, with some limitations;

• Gas stations and auto repair facilities;
• Banks;
• Laundry businesses, dry cleaners and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence, including garbage collection;
• Hardware stores, plumbers, and electricians;
• Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning;
• Roles required for anybusiness to maintain minimumbasic operations, which includes security, and payroll; and
• Law and safety, and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action.

The order contains detailed information regarding the exemptions provided to certain businesses. If a business is unsure about whether or not they are exempted from this order, please contact the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation here.