Orders and Public Health Recommendations

Emergency Order #1 – Requiring Face Coverings Statewide
On July 30, 2020, Governor Evers issued Emergency Order #1 requiring face coverings statewide. WI residents, 5 years and older, need to wear a face covering whenever they are indoors or in an enclosed space, other than a private residence, and other people are present in the same room or space. ​Face coverings are strongly recommended in all other settings, including outdoors, when it is not possible to maintain physical distancing.  The order was effective August 1, 2020 and was set to expire on September 28, 2020 and then again on November 21, 2020 and January 19, 2021. The order has been extended and will expire on March 20, 2021, or by a subsequent superseding order. 
For more information review Emergency Order #1 and Frequently Asked Questions

Vilas County Recommendations

Public health recommendations for Vilas County businesses, organizations, community groups and individuals

Vilas County Government has issued a Declaration to Re-open Businesses that went into effect on Thursday, May 14, 2020.  It is the responsibility of the business owner to make sure that any state and local licenses that are held are valid to open at this time.  Additionally, confirm that your insurance coverage, i.e. liability, fire, etc., will be valid if you choose to open.

General Public Health Recommendations 

Individuals
It is up to each of us to keep our communities safe and healthy. We can take actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, washing our hands, and staying 6 feet apart. Safety tips found on the Wisconsin Department of Health website will help individuals living in our community work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Businesses and Worksites
The following are resources:

• WI Economic Development Corporation has guidelines and best practices for businesses to keep workers and customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry-specific documents are available and are updated on a regular basis. 
• WI Department of Health Services has information for employers on how to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, disinfection and cleaning guidelines, information on when employees recovering from COVID-19 can return to work and other guidance.
• WI Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection has COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations for food supply, delivery and recreational facilities.

Schools
The following are resources:

• WI Department of Public Instruction has published Education Forward: Operating Schools During a Pandemic, a guidance document for Wisconsin district and school leaders to use as they plan for a safe, efficient, and equitable 2020-21 school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Other COVID-19 guidance documents have been released and include:
  • School Health Services Interim COVID-19 Infection Control and Mitigation Toolkit
  • Interim COVID-19 Infection Control and Mitigation Measures for Schools
• WI Department of Health Services has developed Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in K-12 Schools in Wisconsin that will help local health departments to be prepared so that outbreaks can be addressed quickly and the students, school staff, and entire community can be as safe and healthy as possible.
• WI Department of Health Services has developed Guidelines for the Prevention, Investigation, and Control of COVID-19 Outbreaks in K-12 Schools in Wisconsin that will help local health departments to be prepared so that outbreaks can be addressed quickly and the students, school staff, and entire community can be as safe and healthy as possible.
• WI Department of Health Services has also developed Guidelines to Returning to School After COVID-19 for Parent and Guardians

Daycares
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has compiled resources to help essential workers, providers, and families navigate the child care landscape during the COVID-19 crisis. While the state has aggressively mobilized to slow the spread of COVID-19, families still need child care as many return to work amidst the public health emergency. 

Long Term Care
The CDC has developed guidance for Wisconsin nursing homes and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID) and/or who have chronic medical conditions that place them at higher risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19. The guidance is designed to assist facilities to improve their infection prevention and control practices, to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, and keep residents and the health care personnel (HPC) who care for them safe from infection.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers in the wake of the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. CMS has developed this toolkit to help you stay informed on CMS and HHS materials available on the COVID-19. Please share these materials, bookmark the page, and check back often for the most up-to-date information.

Resources: CDC Considerations for Events and Gatherings, CDC Events and Gatherings: Readiness and Planning Tool