Evers Reverses Course, Announces “Stay at Home” Order

Wisconsin will be subject to a “stay at home” or “shelter in place” order after all. The order, coming Tuesday, will suspend non-essential in-person business as a result of the fast-spreading COVID-19 disease.

On Friday Governor Tony Evers said, “I believe we will be able to avoid that” with regards to requiring Wisconsin residents to stay home and praised residents for complying with the recommendation so far. He pledged to “follow the science” with regard to any changes.

But Monday morning Evers announced via Twitter that he was preparing to issue a “stay at home” order on Tuesday. The order would suspend non-essential business across Wisconsin.

“Over the past few days, I’ve talked with public health experts and with business leaders and local elected officials around the state. Overwhelmingly the response I heard is that we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.

The text of the order wasn’t immediately available, but Evers did offer an initial list of employers that would be unaffected.

“Workers providing essential care or services in our communities will be allowed to continue to travel to and from work. That includes folks like healthcare professionals, grocers, family caregivers, among other people whose work is critical for folks across our state,” said Evers.

People will be permitted to leave their homes. “You can still get out and walk the dogs—it’s good exercise and it’s good for everyone’s mental health—but please don’t take any other unnecessary trips, and limit your travel to essential needs like going to the doctor, grabbing groceries, or getting medication,” said Evers.

“There will be additional details soon about what this order means for you, but I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to prepare and plan ahead so you can help do your part to keep our friends, neighbors, and communities safe,” tweeted Evers.

We have been working hard to ensure the health and safety of the people of our state as we have responded to COVID-19. We’ve taken important steps, but folks, time is of the essence. So today I’m announcing we'll be issuing a #SaferAtHome order tomorrow. Here’s what this means ⬇️

— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) March 23, 2020

Evers’ Twitter Messages Compiled

We have been working hard to ensure the health and safety of the people of our state as we have responded to COVID-19. We’ve taken important steps, but folks, time is of the essence. So today I’m announcing we’ll be issuing a #SaferAtHome order tomorrow. Here’s what this means ⬇️

As we’ve worked to respond to and prevent the spread of COVID-19, we’ve have been careful to listen to public health experts and to be mindful of the effects our proactive steps could and will have on our frontline workers and the most vulnerable in our communities.

Over the past few days, I’ve talked with public health experts and with business leaders and local elected officials around the state. Overwhelmingly the response I heard is that we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin.

In fact, business leaders have suggested that it is imperative to slow the growth of the disease and that the state cease all non-essential business statewide.

And, folks, all hands on deck means you, too.

I know this has been difficult and has disrupted the lives of people across our state. That’s why issuing a #SaferAtHome order isn’t something I thought we’d have to do, and it’s not something I take lightly. But here’s the bottom line: folks need to start taking this seriously.

People across our state are still out and about unnecessarily that are putting our friends, our neighbors, and our communities at risk. Please #StayHome and help us save lives.

We also need folks to limit their interactions to the same people, not different small groups. Shrinking your circle of interactions will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately that means no sleepovers, no play dates, and no dinner parties with friends and neighbors.

We’re all in this together, and each and every one of us has to do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 so we can #FlattenTheCurve to ensure our doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers have the opportunity to do their important work.

You can still get out and walk the dogs—it’s good exercise and it’s good for everyone’s mental health—but please don’t take any other unnecessary trips, and limit your travel to essential needs like going to the doctor, grabbing groceries, or getting medication.

Workers providing essential care or services in our communities will be allowed to continue to travel to and from work. That includes folks like healthcare professionals, grocers, family caregivers, among other people whose work is critical for folks across our state.

If it’s essential for you to go outside, please stay 6 feet away from others and shared spaces such as park shelters and visitor centers.

There will be additional details soon about what this order means for you, but I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to prepare and plan ahead so you can help do your part to keep our friends, neighbors, and communities safe.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead we will continue listening to the public health experts, healthcare providers, first responders, and businesses and workers on the frontlines. And as I listen and learn I will continue to share updates with the people of Wisconsin.

In the meantime, everyone is #SaferAtHome, folks. Let’s all do our part and work together.