South Milwaukee/St. Francis Health Administrator Jacqueline Ove has announced Emergency Health Order No. 1, issued by suburban Milwaukee County health officials last week, will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May, 21, as planned.
It will not be extended.
Health officials continue to recommend a phased reopening and are issuing guidance based on key indicators they are following in Milwaukee County.
Here are key materials …
- Letter from Health Administrator Jacqueline Ove
- Health Officer Guidelines for Safe, Phased Reopening – Phase B
- Suburban Milwaukee County Safe Opening Capacity Guidance
- Milwaukee County COVID-19 Dashboard & Tracking Map
- Key indicators available through tab at the bottom of the dashboard.
The end of the order means bars, restaurants, churches and other organizations and institutions closed or limited in operations under the order will be allowed to reopen. Many will have significant changes in how they operate around physical distancing, increased sanitation, and other recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Eleven suburban health departments in Milwaukee County issued the emergency order last week after the Wisconsin State Supreme Court overturned the state’s “Safer at Home” order. The goal of the interim order was to provide a bridge to an orderly and safe transition for business operations, and give health officers time to monitor the continued spread of the virus.
In the past week, the Health Department has shared guidelines and best practices with bars, restaurants and other businesses, and will continue to work in partnership with them to ensure a safe reopening. Health officials will also continue monitoring for spread of the virus, perform contract tracing of infected individuals, and take steps as needed to prevent and limit outbreaks.
Statement from Health Administrator Jacqueline Ove
We ask everyone to continue to follow the order until it expires Thursday. We still have disease, and after this order expires, we are still going to have disease. That means our work as a Health Department in fighting the virus and upholding high standards of public health will continue. We need the community’s help to do that, and ask our residents, visitors, business owners and others to continue to act responsibly and safely, consistent with federal, state and local guidelines for a safe reopening. We must be in this together.
Statement from Mayor Erik Brooks
I recognize the impact the health orders have had on our residents, business owners and others, and I hope lifting this order will allow for the beginning of a return to normalcy for all of us. I believe we will reopen responsibly, following proper protocols, safety measures and best practices to ensure customer and worker safety and restore confidence. The decision by the Supreme Court did not end the pandemic, nor does the end of this order. This is not over. We need to learn to live with this disease safely, and we will, together.
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