New City Health Order Limits Gatherings

A new health order from the Milwaukee Health Department will limit capacity for many businesses and events starting Thursday, October 29th.

Mayor Tom Barrett announced last week, in anticipation of the new order and rising COVID-19 cases, that the city will also more aggressively enforce its order through citations. It has only issued two citations to date. Milwaukee is seeing a record number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Businesses without an approved safety plan will have their capacity reduced to the lesser of two restrictions: either 25% of total occupancy or one person for every 30 square feet of floor space open to the public.

According to a city report from October 23rd, 537 business and organizations have an approved health safety plan that removes capacity limits but requires distancing and other safety protocols. Safety plans have been approved for a wide range of entities, including fine art museums, nine Cousins Subs locations and approximately 30 venues catered by Zilli Hospitality Group.

Indoor events without an approved safety plan will have their capacity reduced to the lesser of three restrictions: (1) 25% of total occupancy; (2) one person for every 30 square feet of floor space open to the public; and (3) 10 people indoors in addition to any employees or contractors necessary to operate the business.

Public gatherings will have their capacity restricted to 25% of a site’s capacity or 25 people, whichever is less. Religious and political events are subject to gathering limits of 100 people.

Individuals at all restaurants, bars and gatherings, regardless of the presence of a safety plan, need to remain seated except upon arrival, departure and use of restroom. Dance floors are prohibited.

Team sports are restricted to intra-squad or intra-school events unless a health department-approved safety plan is in place. Testing is required at least once every three days under the new order and existing plans without the testing plan must be resubmitted. No fans or observers are permitted.

The order, known as Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely 4.2, was signed Monday by interim health commissioner Marlaina Jackson.

A state order restricting capacity is currently not in place after being blocked by an appeals court.

A full copy of the order can be found on Urban Milwaukee. A copy of the approved health safety plan list is also available.