The City of Milwaukee Phase 4 Assessment Update—MKE Cares mask ordinance in effect & clarification on school openings

MILWAUKEE – On May 15, 2020, the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) issued a public health and safety order called ‘Moving Milwaukee Forward.’ This order uses a measured, phased approach that utilizes data-driven gating criteria that align with federal and state guidance. This plan outlines the measures needed for the City of Milwaukee based on the latest science. Milwaukee has made steady progress in reducing the impact of COVID-19 but we still have a long way to go. We will continue to focus on the importance of continuation and resumption of businesses and activities for all sectors of our economy.

As stated on multiple occasions during our pandemic response, the gating criteria aligns with our local orders and will be updated to reflect activities that are permitted per sector. These are determined by level of risk using the latest research and feedback from public health professionals. As previously stated, Five Key Indicators and Gating Criteria drive our City’s advancement through the phases. These measures are reassessed every Friday but advancement through the phases can only occur 14 days after we are in a new phase. Today is the 21-day mark for Phase 4. The period for assessment of Phase 4’s order was extended to exercise more caution as cases continue to rise elsewhere. MHD will reassess our progress next week.

Cases: Measures how much COVID-19 is in our community and its impact.

As case totals can change dramatically by the day, and averages include outliers, we elected to use a statistical approach called Linear Regression to measure our progress. This statistic uses an industry standard of p<0.05 for statistical significance; this enables us to report the statistic with confidence or accuracy. The positivity rate, which assesses if our testing strategy is on point to detect cases, is evaluated as well.

Testing: Measured as the ability for residents who have symptoms of COVID-19 to access a lab test.

MHD strongly encourages regular testing for essential worker, those that may be at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 through gathering with others outside of their household, and those that are symptomatic. Access to testing continues to increase in our area. Community testing sites are still available on the north and south sides of Milwaukee: Barack Obama High School – Custer Stadium (4300 Fairmount Ave.) and UMOS (2710 S. Chase Ave). While we continue to monitor the efficacy of these sites and develop alternatives, we would like to continue to encourage the community, especially those that may have increased their risk of exposure to COVID-19 while engaging in protests and demonstrations to be tested. Please visit our website for more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing locations: www.milwaukee.gov/coronavirus or call 2-1-1.

Current Status – GREEN (average tests per day is 2489 which is up from 1702 last week; positivity rate increased slightly to 9.9%). This is a positive change from last week.

Care: The percentage of patients in hospitals with COVID-19 and hospital capacity to handle COVID-19 patients. This represents that 100% of hospitals in the Greater Milwaukee area are not in crisis and <10% of hospital patients are COVID+

Current Status – GREEN—per Milwaukee County COVID-19 Map as of 7/16.  Remained steady since last week. Hospitalization was approximately 6%.                                               

Safety: Adequate PPE available for healthcare personnel, long-term care facilities, and first responders.  This includes masks, gowns, and gloves. This represents that the majority of hospitals in the Greater Milwaukee area have 8-28 days of all PPE on hand.

Current Status – YELLOW—per Milwaukee County COVID-19 Map  as of 7/16. Remained steady since last week.

Tracing:  This measure is defined as the ability to count, trace, and monitor COVID-19 cases and outbreaks by MHD. The MHD successfully reached city residents within 3 contact attempts. The average time to make the first contact attempt is 1.4 days. This week’s has declined but still remains yellow due to increased case and contact loads for MHD staff.

Current Status – YELLOW as of 7/16 (slightly declined from 76.5% last week to 62.1% this week). No significant change since last week.

MHD has received several questions about in-person school sessions for the upcoming academic year. As long as we remain in Phase 4, schools are not permitted to hold in person sessions. This pertains to any school that is located in the City of Milwaukee. Per the Phase 4 Order:

“Schools: Public and private K-12 schools shall remain closed for in-person pupil instruction and extracurricular activities until further notice. Schools may continue to facilitate distance or virtual learning. School buildings and property may continue to be used for Essential Government Functions and food distribution. Food distribution shall comply with Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements.  School leaders are encouraged to reach out to the City of Milwaukee Health Department regarding the upcoming school year and their plans to comply with the Department of Public Instruction COVID-19 Safety guidance.vi (section 4).”  Please continue to monitor our website, social media, and weekly media advisories every Friday for updates. Again, we will remain in Phase 4 until all 5 indicators are green.

Reminder: the MHD has developed protocols that outline the necessary COVID-19 safety measures required in order for a restaurant or bar operate without a capacity limit safely, “The Risk Assessment Tool for Expanding Capacity in Restaurants and Bars.” We are still accepting applications for this variance. The purpose of this tool is to assist the MHD while reviewing an establishment’s COVID-19 Safety Plan. The assessment tool is to be completed by the operator and submitted along with their COVID-19 Safety Plan. Electronic submission is in development, until that is finalized, documents can be sent to cehadmin@milwaukee.gov for approval.

The email subject line should read: COVID SAFETY PLAN: insert business name and address.

Plans will be reviewed in the order they have been received. Approval time may take several days. Once approved, the operator will receive a certificate/seal demonstrating plan approval and will be able to operate safely without a capacity limit.

Safety plan documents are available in Spanish and Hmong languages on our website as soon as they are completed. If an operator needs assistance in translation, please reach out to: cehadmin@milwaukee.gov for support.

As with COVID-19 pandemic orders, the MHD has anticipated voluntary compliance and has taken an educational approach. If an operator is found to be in non-compliance of ANY of the Moving Milwaukee Forward Orders, there will be a consultation, inspection, education prior to the last resort, which is citation and possibly arrest. The MHD has citation powers while the Milwaukee Police Department has citation and arrest powers.

There are a variety of resources for businesses by sector that are available online (please see below). The City of Milwaukee has and will continue to provide a webinar series to business owners and operators with sector specific guidance that is posted on our website www.milwaukee.gov/MMFS.

This order is for all establishments within the City of Milwaukee limits. Phase 4 includes significant changes for a variety of sectors. Please note, capacity refers to building occupancy. Business owners and operators have the right to remain closed until we advance through the phases and formally conclude our COVID-19 response efforts:

• • Beaches – All individuals and pets shall comply with Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements. Team and contact sports on public beaches remain prohibited.
  • Chartered Fishing Excursions – Must be the lesser of the three: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people.
  • Child Care Settings including Youth Programs – 75% capacity
  • Faith based gatherings – Must be the lesser of the three: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people.
  • Garage Sales, Rummage and Yard Sales – Must be the lesser of the three: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people.
  • Gatherings in Homes or Public Venues – Must be the lesser of the three: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people. NOTE- the City of Milwaukee including the MHD and Department of Public Works as well as Milwaukee County Parks has the right to deny permits based on active outbreaks of COVID-19 in our community. The top census tracks for COVID-19 cases are evaluated weekly and will be used during Phase 4 and beyond. Safety is our top concern.
  • Gyms and Athletic Centers – Must be the lesser of the three: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people.
  • Hotels/Motels – 50% capacity; Pools, hot tubs, and exercise facilities are limited to the lesser of: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people.
  • Libraries – Must be the lesser of the three: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people.
  • Places of amusement – Must be the lesser of the three: 1) 50% of the total occupancy of the location, 2) one person for every 30 square feet or 3) 250 people.
  • Retail Establishments – 50% capacity
  • Restaurants/Bars – 50% capacity *ability to operate without a capacity limit with a COVID- 19 Safety Plan approved by the health department.
  • Salons/Spas – 1 client per service provider
  • Schools—in person instruction is prohibited under Phase 4. We acknowledge that there have been many inquiries about school reopening and plan to discuss further at our upcoming webinar.
  • Stores  – 75% capacity
  • Youth Summer Programs – 75% capacity

The following Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements are required for all individuals on the premises (staff and patrons):

The MKE Cares mask ordinance is now in effect as of 12:01am Thursday, July 16^th.

Masks or cloth face coverings are now required by all persons over the age of 3 in the City of Milwaukee (residents, patrons, and visitors). Businesses are allowed to require this as a policy to provide service. We recommend business owners provide single use masks/mouth coverings for staff and patrons. MHD is providing free masks to the community, which can be accessed at our 4 locations:

Zeidler Municipal Building – 841 North Broadway

Keenan Health Clinic – 3200 N. 36th Street

Northwest Health Center – 7630 W. Mill Rd

Southside Health Center – 1639 S. 23rd Street

Monday – Friday

Open till – 1pm

***Currently allocating 3 masks per person***

• • A community mask distribution plan will be developed by July 31, 2020; this would provide more access points for free masks across the City of Milwaukee.
  • Maintain 6 feet distance between people/patrons
  • Promote and conduct hand hygiene with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer
  • Promote covering of coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow or tissue not hands)
  • Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces and sharing cleaning protocols with staff and patrons;
  • Promote non-contact forms of greetings- no handshakes or hugs

A continuously updated Mask Ordinance facts, answers and questions (FAQs) document is available on our website: city.milwaukee.gov/coronavirus/Prevention#masks and 211 is available 24 hours a day.

The order also states that establishments must follow all other public health recommendations issued by State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and adopt policies to prevent workers from entering the premises if they display respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.

Additional resources for business owners and operators:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Interim Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)—Includes sector specific information
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html#postponing

Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce
Coronavirus Guidance for Businesses during the Pandemic
https://coronavirus-mmac.org/

Wisconsin Department of Health Services—Includes information about employer-based outbreaks
COVID-19: Businesses, Employers, and Workers
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/employers.htm

Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection
Resources for reopening/expanding services while reducing the risk of COVID-19:
https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/ReopeningRestaurantsCovid19.pdf

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
COVID-19 Business Resources
https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/covid-19-response/

Wisconsin Restaurant Association
COVID-19 Restaurant Resources
https://www.wirestaurant.org/

Please visit our websites for information and updates:
city.milwaukee.gov/MMFS/SafetyPlan
city.milwaukee.gov/MMFS
city.milwaukee.gov/coronavirus

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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