City of Milwaukee, suburban county municipalities release public health plans following Supreme Court ruling

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Updated: 10:11 p.m. on May 14, 2020 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The City of Milwaukee Health Department has issued a new order after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' extension of the "Safer at Home" order. It is similar to the order issued by the other Milwaukee County health officials Thursday, May 14. 

"For anybody to say 'We're through this thing,' that it's all hype, people are dying and people are getting sick and we have a responsibility to our public to do what's right," said Mayor Tom Barrett. 

Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas, electrolysis providers, waxing salons, eyebrow-care establishments, tattoo parlors, body art establishments, and tanning facilities may open with physical distancing and the following precautions in place:

  • All workstations shall be at least six (6) feet apart
  • Only one client per individual providing services to clients is allowed in the business or facility at a time
  • No individuals should congregate in a common waiting area before or after their appointment
  • Staff shall wear a mask or cloth face covering while in the business or facility.
  • Clients shall wear a mask or cloth face covering to the extent feasible while in the business or facility
  • Staff and clients should conduct self-assessment for symptoms before appointment; symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle pain, and new loss of taste or smell
  • Chairs and workstations shall be sanitized after each client per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • All appointments shall be scheduled by phone or online. No walk-in clients are allowed.

Outdoor playground equipment may be opened. Public beaches will be open for moving through while walking, running, or biking. Swimming as well as team and contact sports on public beaches remain prohibited. 

"High risk places which includes bars, taverns, and health clubs and restaurants are still currently at the moment remaining closed because there's some other considerations in those environments that need to be maintained for physical distancing, sanitation and other measures that need to be put in place," said Darren Rausch with the Greenfield Public Health Department. 

Whether indoors or outdoors, places of public amusement and activity shall remain closed, including but not limited to the following: stadiums, amusement parks, conference centers, carnivals, dance clubs, escape rooms, water parks, licensed public or private swimming pools,splash pads, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers,funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and concert halls, country clubs other than for the purpose of facilitating activities allowed under 2(k) including golfing or use of driving ranges, social clubs,miniature golf, and gyms and fitness centers.

This order will remain in effect until certain criteria are met and a new order is issued for Phase A of the proposed Local Health Plan for Milwaukee County. 

To read the full order, click here

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Updated: 12:23 p.m. on May 14, 2020 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County health officials released Thursday, May 14, a new list of guidelines after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' extension of the "Safer at Home." 


With more testing available, Milwaukee County health officials say they've seen an increase in COVID-19 cases in the county, and they anticipate that to continue. They say the new guidelines will help flatten the curve. 

"We knew disease was still going on in our communities and our goal with our plan is the same as everyone else’s. We really want to open the economy as quickly and safely as possible," Greenfield Health Department Director Darren Rausch said. 

Milwaukee County health officials say the goal of the new county guidelines is to keep residents safe from COVID-19. 

"We want to make sure that we're minimizing the impact of that anticipated second or third peak,” Rausch said. 

The count yis opening back up salons and playgrounds. Also, day cares remain open with capacity restrictions. 

Some bars, like Buzzard's Nest in West Allis, opened after the Supreme Court's decision came down, but Milwaukee County health officials are keeping bars and restaurants closed except for curbside and delivery. 

The guidelines also say health clubs should stay closed and church services should not resume at this time. 

"We’ve tried to identify those businesses and sectors of the community that we can move forward on knowing full well there are other sectors that we will need to move forward on in another phase," Rausch said. 

The new Milwaukee County health guidelines will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. May 21. 

Read the complete order below: 

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Published: 7:20 a.m. on May 14, 2020 

MILWAUKEE COUNTY (CBS 58) -- The local health departments in suburban Milwaukee County have issued an order for residents following the State Supreme Court decision to strike down the state's extension to the 'Safer at Home' order.

The suburban Milwaukee County order will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 21.

According to a press release, the Milwaukee County order aims to "continue controlling COVID-19 disease transmission throughout
Milwaukee County... we focus on the importance of continuation and resumption of businesses and activities for sectors of our economy that are able to operate with Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements and Safe Business Practices in place."

Below are some of the highlights in the order:

Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements. For purposes of this order and to the extent possible under applicable laws including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act, “Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements” means:

    i. Maintaining physical distancing of six (6) feet between people not residing in a single living unit or household;
    ii. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as
possible or using hand sanitizer;
    iii. Covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands);
    iv. Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces;
    v. Not shaking hands;
    vi. Use of a mask or cloth face covering. Note: the use of masks or cloth face coverings is strongly recommended but shall not be required due to equity concerns regarding the challenges that either may cause for individuals because of disabilities and/or shortages of PPE; 
    vii. Following all other public health recommendations issued by State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Safe Business Practices 

For purposes of this order and to the extent possible under applicable laws including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act, “Safe Business Practices” means:
    i. Establishing, to the extent possible, curbside pick-up to reduce in-store traffic
and mitigate outdoor lines;
    ii. Establishing entry lines outside of the store with markings for patrons to enable them to stand at least six (6) feet apart from one another while waiting to enter a store. Stores are encouraged to also use alternatives to lines, including allowing customers to wait in their vehicles for a text message or phone call and scheduling pick-ups or entries to the store;
    iii. Ensuring one way traffic in shopping aisles;
    iv. Increasing standards of facility cleaning and disinfection to limit worker and patron exposure to COVID-19, as well as adopt protocols to clean and disinfect in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace;
    v. Adopting policies to prevent workers from entering the premises if they display respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19; and
    vi. Complying with Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements.

Restaurants

Restaurants may remain open only if they remain in compliance with the
following:
    i. Restaurants may remain open for food take-out or delivery service only;
    ii. Alcohol sales shall comply with Section 2(g) below;
    iii. Customers may enter the above establishments only for the purpose of ordering, pick-up, and paying for food or beverages or both;
    iv. No seating may be provided;
    v. Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either indoors or outdoors;
    vi. Establishments shall meet Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements among all individuals on the premises to the extent possible;
    vii. Restaurants shall cease any self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets; and
    viii. Customers are prohibited from self-dispensing any unpackaged food or beverage.

Bars

This includes breweries, brewpubs, wineries, distilleries, and alcohol beverage retailers. Such establishments may remain open only if they remain in compliance with the following:
    i. Carryout sales of alcohol beverages and food are allowed if permitted by state law and municipal ordinance;
    ii. Delivery of alcohol beverages to retail customers is prohibited;
    iii. Wineries holding direct wine shippers’ permits may make deliveries of wine in accordance with their permit;
    iv. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries may continue manufacturing functions with Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements in place;
    v. Customers may enter the above establishments only for the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food or beverage or both;
    vi. No seating may be provided;
    vii. Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either indoors or outdoors; and
    viii. Establishments shall meet Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements among all individuals on the premises to the extent possible.

Salons and Spas:

Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas, electrolysis providers, waxing salons, eyebrow-care establishments, tattoo parlors, body art establishments, and tanning facilities may open with Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements and the following precautions in place:

    i. All workstations shall be at least six (6) feet apart;
    ii. Only one client per individual providing services to clients is allowed in the business or facility at a time. No individuals should congregate in a common waiting area before or after their appointment;
    iii. Staff shall wear a mask or cloth face covering while in the business or facility. Clients shall wear a mask or cloth face covering to the extent feasible while in the business or facility;
    iv. Staff and clients shall be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering the business or facility.
    v. Chairs and workstations shall be sanitized after each client per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionii; and
    vi. All appointments shall be scheduled by phone or online. No walk-in clients are
allowed.


The entire order can be read here.

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