- Joined
- Feb 27, 2019
Welp, shit's getting real: Twerpy Tony has shut down all the bars in Wisconsin, not to mention churches, malls, restaurants, and gyms.
MADISON - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' administration Tuesday closed or effectively closed churches, malls, bars, restaurants and gyms starting at 5 p.m.
At the Democratic governor's direction, Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm issued an order telling malls, bars and restaurants to close and limiting other gatherings of or more people. It applies to churches, theaters, movie theaters, arenas, fitness centers and numerous other places.
"We know this will disrupt your lives," Palm told reporters in a conference call. "Now is the time to make a plan to stay home."
Palm issued the order as Evers and leaders around the globe try to beat back a widening pandemic that has killed more than 7,500 worldwide. In Wisconsin there have been 72 confirmed cases, including at least one involving someone who has since recovered.
Also Tuesday, Evers said schools would remain closed until further notice, signaling an extension of an order that previously had been in place until early April. The restriction applies to all public and private schools, including institutions of higher learning.
Evers said he would seek emergency legislation to allow people to receive unemployment benefits immediately, instead of having to wait a week before getting them.
Evers said he would issue an emergency order Wednesday that would temporarily lift a requirement that the unemployed search for work each week to receive benefits.
Palm said there has been community spread of the illness in Milwaukee, Dane and Kenosha counties, meaning people have been infected within those communities rather than by traveling. The rapid spread of the illness, along with strains on processing tests, necessitated the new restrictions, Palm said.
The new order tightens one issued 24 hours earlier that barred gatherings of 50 or more people.
The earlier decision gave restaurants and bars the ability to remain open if they limited their capacity. Under the new order, they can remain open only for takeout.
Even before Evers initial order took effect, Milwaukee and many of its neighboring communities shut down bars and restaurants, saying keeping them open was a threat to public health.
For gatherings of fewer than 10, people must stay at least six feet away from each other to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Local officials will be responsible for enforcing the ban on restaurants and bars. Those who violate the order could be subject to fines of $250 and 30 days in jail and Ryan Nilsestuen, Evers' chief counsel.
The limits on gatherings includes some exemptions, such as for airports, gas stations, grocery stores, childcare facilities, group homes, hotels, jails, courts, government agencies, hospitals, clinics, offices, manufacturing facilities, polling places and some retail establishments.
Evers' latest edict puts the same rules in effect statewide and forced restaurants and bars to close as they were preparing for Tuesday's St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
Evers took a similar path last week on schools, issuing an order on Friday but amending it soon afterward. Evers at first said schools would close at the end of the day Wednesday, only to say on Sunday that school would not resume the next day.
Evers stressed the need for people to change how they live their daily lives.
"Stay home if you can," Evers told reporters in the conference call.
At the Democratic governor's direction, Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm issued an order telling malls, bars and restaurants to close and limiting other gatherings of or more people. It applies to churches, theaters, movie theaters, arenas, fitness centers and numerous other places.
"We know this will disrupt your lives," Palm told reporters in a conference call. "Now is the time to make a plan to stay home."
Palm issued the order as Evers and leaders around the globe try to beat back a widening pandemic that has killed more than 7,500 worldwide. In Wisconsin there have been 72 confirmed cases, including at least one involving someone who has since recovered.
Also Tuesday, Evers said schools would remain closed until further notice, signaling an extension of an order that previously had been in place until early April. The restriction applies to all public and private schools, including institutions of higher learning.
Evers said he would seek emergency legislation to allow people to receive unemployment benefits immediately, instead of having to wait a week before getting them.
Evers said he would issue an emergency order Wednesday that would temporarily lift a requirement that the unemployed search for work each week to receive benefits.
Palm said there has been community spread of the illness in Milwaukee, Dane and Kenosha counties, meaning people have been infected within those communities rather than by traveling. The rapid spread of the illness, along with strains on processing tests, necessitated the new restrictions, Palm said.
The new order tightens one issued 24 hours earlier that barred gatherings of 50 or more people.
The earlier decision gave restaurants and bars the ability to remain open if they limited their capacity. Under the new order, they can remain open only for takeout.
Even before Evers initial order took effect, Milwaukee and many of its neighboring communities shut down bars and restaurants, saying keeping them open was a threat to public health.
For gatherings of fewer than 10, people must stay at least six feet away from each other to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Local officials will be responsible for enforcing the ban on restaurants and bars. Those who violate the order could be subject to fines of $250 and 30 days in jail and Ryan Nilsestuen, Evers' chief counsel.
The limits on gatherings includes some exemptions, such as for airports, gas stations, grocery stores, childcare facilities, group homes, hotels, jails, courts, government agencies, hospitals, clinics, offices, manufacturing facilities, polling places and some retail establishments.
Evers' latest edict puts the same rules in effect statewide and forced restaurants and bars to close as they were preparing for Tuesday's St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
Evers took a similar path last week on schools, issuing an order on Friday but amending it soon afterward. Evers at first said schools would close at the end of the day Wednesday, only to say on Sunday that school would not resume the next day.
Evers stressed the need for people to change how they live their daily lives.
"Stay home if you can," Evers told reporters in the conference call.
