State of Wisconsin

Department of Health Services
Tony Evers, Governor
Andrea Palm, Secretary

EMERGENCY ORDER #28
Safer at Home Order
WHEREAS, in December, 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus was
detected, now named COVID-19, and it has spread throughout the world,
including every state in the United States;
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared
COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern;
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, Governor Tony Evers declared a public
health emergency and directed all agencies support to efforts to respond to and
contain COVID-19 in Wisconsin;
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump proclaimed a
National Emergency concerning COVID-19;
WHEREAS, as of April 15, 2020, 1,914,916 people around the world have
tested positive for COVID-19, including 605,390 in the United States and 3,721
in Wisconsin;
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is present throughout Wisconsin, with people
testing positive for COVID-19 in 65 of 72 counties as of April 15, 2020;
WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, I, Andrea Palm, Secretary-designee of the
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, issued Emergency Order # 12, Safer
at Home Order (hereinafter "Safer at Home Order"), requiring that everyone in
Wisconsin stay at their home or place of residence except in limited
circumstances;
WHEREAS, the Safer at Home Order is working to flatten the curve of
infections of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, and we have started to see meaningful
gains from this proactive step;
WHEREAS, when the Safer at Home Order was issued, the number of
people testing positive for COVID-19 in Wisconsin was doubling every 3.4 days
and, as of April 14, 2020, the rate of doubling is now approximately 12 days;
WHEREAS, according to the model created by DHS, Wisconsin was
projected to have between 440 and 1,500 deaths from COVID-19 by April 8th.
These numbers were based on projected significant exponential growth in
1 West Wilson Street • Post Office Box 7850 • Madison, WI 53707-7850 • Telephone 608-266-9622 •
www.dhs.wisconsin.gov
Protecting and promoting the health and safety of the people of Wisconsin

 positive cases; however, since the Safer at Home Order, there has been a
decrease in exponential growth in the number of cases and by April 8th,
Wisconsin only had 99 deaths;
WHEREAS, like our neighbor states, Wisconsin will need to continue to
stay safer at home to prevent spikes in COVID-19 cases that could further strain
our health care system and risk more lives;
WHEREAS, our critical workers are on the front lines working to provide
health care, keep our grocery stores open, clean, and stocked, farm our lands,
and ensure our infrastructure is maintained;
WHEREAS, in this time of Safer at Home, it is extremely important that
we continue to respect all our residents and workers of this state, without
stigmatizing or calling out any group of people, especially those who have
contracted or been exposed to COVID-19;
WHEREAS, medical and public health experts advise that this is the
crucial moment in Wisconsin for us to flatten the curve and prevent the worstcase situations we have seen in other parts of the country and the world;
WHEREAS, as we work to slow the virus, we need to also work to carefully
and thoughtfully speed up our economy;
WHEREAS, people all over the state have made great sacrifices with their
businesses and incomes;
WHEREAS, as we continue to be safer at home, we also must find creative
ways to get businesses and employees back on their feet in a way that will not
sacrifice our progress in fighting the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, when deciding whether to extend the Safer at Home Order, the
administration considered the rate of spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin; the
health care capacity to meet the needs of the state; the testing, contact tracing,
and isolation capacity in the state; the availability of personal protective
equipment for healthcare workers, first responders, and other public servants
that are required to perform face-to-face services; and the economic needs of
Wisconsin and Wisconsinites.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Andrea Palm, Department of Health Services
Secretary-designee, by the authority vested in me by the Laws of the State,
including but not limited to Section 252.02(3), (4), and (6) of the Wisconsin
Statutes, order the following:
1.

Stay at home or place of residence. All individuals present within the
State of Wisconsin are ordered to stay at home or at their place of
2

 residence, with exceptions outlined below. To the extent individuals are
using shared or outdoor spaces other than their home or residence, they
must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at
least six (6) feet from any other person consistent with Social Distancing
Requirements as defined below, except that they do not need to maintain
social distancing between individuals residing in a single living unit or
household. Individuals may leave their homes or residences only for the
following functions as are defined in this Order:

a. Essential Activities (defined in section 11);
b. Essential Governmental Functions (defined in section 12);
c. To operate Essential Businesses and Operations (defined 1n
section 13);
d. To perform non-essential Minimum Basic Operations (defined
in section 14);
e. Essential Travel (defined in section 15); and
f. Special Situations (defined in section 8, 9, and 10).
Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section, but
are strongly urged to obtain shelter. Governmental and other entities are
strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible to the
maximum extent practicable and to follow the Wisconsin Department of
Public Health (DHS) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) guidance on COVID-19 risk mitigation practices.
Individuals whose homes or residences are unsafe or become unsafe,
such as victims of domestic violence, are permitted and urged to leave
their home and stay at a safe alternative location. For purposes of this
Order, homes or residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units,
dormitories, shelters, and similar facilities.

2.

Business operations
a. Non-essential business and operations must cease. All for-profit
and non-profit businesses with a facility in Wisconsin, except
Essential Businesses and Operations as defined below, must cease
all activities at facilities located within Wisconsin, except:
i.

Minimum Basic Operations, as defined below.

3

 ii.

Any operations consisting exclusively of employees or
contractors performing activities at their own home or
residences (i.e., working from home).

b. Safe Business Practices
i.

All businesses, including Essential Businesses
Operations, shall:

and

1. To the greatest extent feasible, use technology to avoid
meeting in person, including virtual meetings,
teleconference, and remote work (i.e. work from home).

2. Cease door-to-door solicitation.
ii.

Essential Businesses and Operations are encouraged to
remain open. Essential businesses and operations shall:
1. To the greatest extent feasible, comply with Social
Distancing Requirements as defined in this Order
between all individuals on the premises, including but
not limited to employees, customers, and members of
the public.

2. Restrict the number of workers present on premises to
no more than is strictly necessary to perform the
essential operation.
3. Increase standards of facility cleaning and disinfection
to limit worker and patron exposure to COVID-19, as
well as adopting protocols to clean and disinfect in the
event of a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace.

4. 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.
iii.

Essential Businesses or Operations that remain open for
in-person sales, including retail stores, shall:
1. Consider establishing curbside pick-up to reduce instore traffic and mitigate outdoor lines.

4

 2. For stores with less than 50,000 square feet of customer
floor space, limit the number of people in the store
(including employees) to 25% of the total occupancy
limits established by the local municipality.
3. For stores of more than 50,000 square feet:

a. Limit the number of customers in the store at one
time (excluding employees) to 4 people per 1,000
square feet of customer floor space.
b. Offer at least two hours per week of dedicated
shopping time for vulnerable populations, which
for purposes of this Order are people over 60,
pregnant women, and those with chronic
conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung
disease.
4. Establish lines to regulate entry in accordance with
occupancy restrictions in sections 2.b.iii.2. and
2.b.iii.3., with markings for patrons to enable them to
stand at least six feet apart from one another while
waiting. Stores should also use alternatives to lines,
including allowing customers to wait in their cars for a
text message or phone call and scheduling pick-ups or
entries to the store.
3.

Prohibited activities. All public and private gatherings of any number
of people that are not part of a single household or living unit are
prohibited, except for the limited purposes expressly permitted in this
Order. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a
single household or living unit. Landlords or rental property managers
shall avoid entering leased residential premises unless emergency
maintenance is required.

4.

Closures. All of the following facilities shall be closed:
a. Schools. Public and private K-12 schools shall remain closed for
pupil instruction and extracurricular activities for the remainder of
the 2019-2020 school year. Schools may continue to facilitate
distance learning or virtual learning. Schools may continue to be
used for Essential Government Functions and food distribution.
This section does not apply to facilities operated by the Wisconsin
Department of Corrections.

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 b. Libraries. Public libraries shall remain closed for all in-person
services, except that they may provide the following services:
i.
ii.

iii.
iv.

On-line services and programming.
Curb-side pick-up of books and other library materials, if
all operations are performed by one person in a room or
confined space. Materials must be requested online or by
phone before pick-up. The library may not require a
signature from the patron. The library must schedule pickups to ensure compliance with Social Distancing
Requirements as defined in Section 16 of the Safer at Home
Order.
Any Essential Governmental Function.
Food distribution.

c. Places of public amusement and activity. Whether indoors or
outdoors, places of public amusement and activity are closed,
including but not limited to amusement parks, carnivals, water
parks, licensed public or private swimming pools, splash pads,
aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children's play centers,
playgrounds, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and
other theaters, concert and music halls, country clubs, social clubs,
and gyms and fitness centers. The following exceptions apply:
i.

Public and private golf courses may open, with the
following restrictions:
1. The use of golf carts is prohibited.
2. Social Distancing Requirements must be observed at all

3.
4.

5.
6.

7.

times, unless the players reside in the same living unit
or household.
All tee times and payments must be made in advance
online or by phone.
Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed. Any
restaurant or bar facility may remain open and must
comply with all restrictions in Section 13.d. and 13.e. of
this Order.
Tee times must be spaced to avoid multiple foursomes
from clustering or gathering at any stage of the course.
All maintenance work and groundskeepers shall comply
with Section 2.b.i. and 2.b.ii. of this Order. All other
functions may only continue under Minimum Basic
Operations.
Driving ranges and miniature golf must remain closed.

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 ii.

Public parks and open space may be closed at the
discretion of the local health officials, if any of the following
occur:
1. The number of people frequenting the area at one time

makes it difficult to comply with Social Distancing
Requirements.
2. Repeated vandalism or disturbing the peace.
3. Repeated violations of the Safer at Home Order that
create a risk to individuals in the area.
4. The local government does not have the ability to
monitor or enforce Social Distancing Requirements.

d. Salons and spas. This includes, but is not limited to, hair salons,
barber shops, nail salons, day spas, electrolysis providers,
waxing salons, eyebrow-care establishments, tattoo parlors, body
art establishments, and tanning facilities.
5.

Prohibited and permitted travel. All forms of travel are prohibited,
except for Essential Travel as defined in this Order. Individuals riding on
public transit must comply with Social Distancing Requirements to the
greatest extent possible.

6.

Follow DHS and CDC guidelines. When taking any action permitted
under this Order, all individuals, organizations, government bodies, and
any other permitted group of individuals shall, to the extent possible,
follow
DHS
guidelines
located
here:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ covid-19 /index.him.
All Essential Businesses and Operations and all businesses performing
Minimum Basic Operations shall comply with DHS guidelines for
businesses
located
here:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ covid19 / employers.htm.

7.

Elderly people and those who are vulnerable as a result of underlying
health conditions should take additional precautions. People at high
risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged
to stay in their home or residence to the extent possible except as
necessary to seek medical care. Nothing in this Order prevents DHS and
local health officials from issuing and enforcing isolation and quarantine
orders pursuant to Wis. Stat. ch. 252 and local ordinances.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

7

 8.

Healthcare and Public Health Operations. For purposes of this Order,
individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any
Healthcare and Public Health Operations.
Healthcare and Public Health Operations includes, but is not limited to:
hospitals; medical facilities; clinics; ambulatory surgery centers for
response to urgent health issues or related COVID-19 activities;
manufacturers, technicians, logistics, and warehouse operators and
distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE),
medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines,
testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing disinfecting or
sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products; dental
offices; pharmacies; public health entities, including those that compile,
model, analyze, and communicate public health information;
pharmaceutical, pharmacy, medical device and equipment, and
biotechnology companies (including operations, research and
development, manufacture, and supply chain); healthcare information
technology companies; organizations collecting blood, platelets, plasma,
and other necessary materials; obstetricians, gynecologists, and midwife
practices; eye care centers, including those that sell glasses and contact
lenses; home health agencies and providers; mental health and
substance abuse providers; detoxification and alcohol or drug treatment
programs and facilities; syringe access programs, and naloxone
distribution programs; other healthcare facilities and suppliers and
providers of any related or any ancillary healthcare services; entities that
transport and dispose of medical materials and remains; personal care
agencies; hospices; allied health providers; acupuncturists; massage
therapists; chiropractors; and adult family homes.
Specifically included in Healthcare and Public Health Operations are
manufacturers, technicians, logistics, and warehouse operators and
distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE),
medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines,
testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing disinfecting or
sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products.
Healthcare and Public Health Operations also includes veterinary care
and all healthcare services provided to animals. Non-essential veterinary
care should be avoided.
Cafeterias and food service in health care facilities may remain open for
staff and authorized visitors only, subject to the following restrictions:

a. Self-service operations of salad bars, beverages stations, and
buffets are prohibited.

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 b. Customers are prohibited from self-dispensing any unpackaged
food or beverage.
c. Customers and staff shall comply with Social Distancing
Requirements, including in seating areas and lines.
Healthcare and Public Health Operations shall be broadly construed to
avoid any impediments to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined.
Healthcare and Public Health Operations does not include fitness and
exercise gyms, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas,
electrolysis providers, tattoo parlors, body art establishments, tanning
facilities, and similar facilities.

9.

Human Service Operations. For purposes of this Order, individuals may
leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any state,
institutional, or community-based setting providing human services to
the public.
Human Service Operations includes, but is not limited to: long-term care
and assisted living facilities, as long as the facility follows all current DHS
Recommendations for Prevention of COVID-19 in Long-Term Facilities
and Assisted Living Facilities and all applicable U.S. Centers for Disease
Control Recommendations; residential settings and shelters for adults,
seniors, children, victims of domestic abuse, people with disabilities,
people with substance use disorders, or mental illness; transitional
facilities; home-based settings to provide services to individuals with
physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, seniors, adults, or
children; adult day care, adult day services, and supportive home care;
field offices that provide and help to determine eligibility for basic needs
including food, cash assistance, medical coverage, vocational services, or
rehabilitation services; developmental centers; adoption agencies;
businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, or other necessities
of life for economically disadvantaged individuals, individuals with
physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, or otherwise needy
individuals.
Human Services Operations shall be construed broadly to avoid any
impacts to the delivery of human services, broadly defined.

10. Essential Infrastructure. For purposes of this Order, individuals may
leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work
necessary to offer, provide, operate, maintain, and repair Essential
Infrastructure.
Essential Infrastructure includes, but is not limited to: food production,
distribution, fulfillment centers, storage facilities, marinas, and sales;
construction (including, but not limited to, construction required in
9

 response to this public health emergency, hospital construction,
construction of long-term care and assisted living facilities, public works
construction, school construction, Essential Business and Operations
construction, construction necessary for Essential Governmental
Functions, and housing construction, except that optional or aesthetic
construction should be avoided except as permitted as a Minimum Basic
Operation); building management and maintenance; airport operations;
operation and maintenance of utilities, including water, sewer, gas, and
electric (including power generation, distribution, production of raw
materials, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-certified and
registered drinking water and wastewater testing laboratories);
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance, Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program, and Public Benefits Energy Assistance Program
offices, customer service centers, and public intake centers; distribution
centers; oil and biofuel refining; roads, highways, railroads, and public
transportation; ports; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid waste
and recycling collection and removal; and internet, video, and
telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global,
national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business
infrastructure, communications, and web-based services).
Essential Infrastructure shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts
to essential infrastructure, broadly defined.

DEFINITIONS
11. Essential Activities. Individuals may leave their home or residence to
perform any of the following:
a. Health and safety. To engage in activities or perform tasks
essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of
their family or household members, including pets, such as, by
way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical
supplies or medication, seeking emergency services, or visiting a
health care or behavior health care professional. Individuals
should rely on telehealth options whenever feasible.
b. Necessary supplies and services. To obtain necessary services
or supplies for themselves and their family or household
members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such
as, by way of example only and without limitation: canned food,
dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, gasoline, propane, pet
supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household
consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the
safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

10

 c. Outdoor activity. To engage in outdoor activity, including
visiting public and state parks, provided individuals comply with
Social Distancing Requirements as defined below. Such activities
include, by way of example and without limitation, walking,
biking, hiking, or running. Individuals may not engage in team
or contact sports such as by way of example and without
limitation, basketball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, or football, as
these activities do not comply with Social Distancing
Requirements. Playgrounds are closed.
d. Certain types of work. To perform work at Essential Businesses
or Operations or to otherwise carry out activities specifically
permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations
and obtaining supplies needed to work from home.
e. Take care of others. To care for a family member, friend, or pet
in another household, and to transport family members, friends,
or pets as allowed in this Order.
12. Essential Governmental Functions. Essential Governmental Functions
means all services provided by the State, Tribal, or local governments
needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government body and
provide and support the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Each
government body shall determine its Essential Government Function, if
any, and identify employees and contractors necessary to the
performance of those functions.
For purposes of this Order, all paid or volunteer first responders
including law enforcement, EMS, and firefighters; first responder training
academies; building inspectors; emergency management personnel;
emergency dispatchers; court personnel, jurors and grand jurors;
corrections personnel; hazardous materials responders; child protection
and child welfare personnel; housing and shelter personnel; National
Guard and military; and others working for or to support Essential
Businesses and Operations are categorically exempt from this Order.
This section does not limit the ability or authority of the Wisconsin
Supreme Court to use its constitutional supervisory authority over lower
courts to limit or adjust court functions in response to the Public Health
Emergency. This section does not limit the ability or authority of the
Wisconsin Legislature to meet or conduct business.
Government bodies should continue to follow the Wisconsin Department
of Justice's Office of Open Government guidance regarding holding
government meetings and should consult directly with that office

11

 regarding specific open meetings questions. The guidance is available
here:
https: //www.doj.state .wi.us/ sites/ default/files/newsmedia/3.20.20 OOG Final.pdf. Government bodies with additional
questions about open meetings requirements should consult with the
Wisconsin Department of Justice's Office of Open Government.
13. Essential Businesses and Operations. For the purposes of this Order,
Essential Businesses and Operations means Healthcare and Public
Health
Operations,
Human
Services
Operations,
Essential
Infrastructure, and Essential Governmental Functions, and the
following:
a. CISA List. Any business or worker identified in the U.S.
Department
of Homeland
Security,
Cybersecurity
&
Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Memorandum on
Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During
COVID-19 Response, updated March 23, 2020, and any
subsequent versions of this Memorandum.
b. Stores that sell groceries and medicine. Grocery stores,
bakeries, pharmacies, farm and produce stands, supermarkets,
food banks and food pantries, convenience stores, and other
establishments engaged in the retail sale of groceries, canned
food, dry goods, frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet
supply, fresh meats, fish, poultry, prepared food, alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverages, and any other household consumer
products (such as cleaning and personal care products). Such
establishments shall:
i. Close all seating intended for consuming food.
ii. Cease any self-service operations of salad bars, beverage
stations, and buffets.
iii. Except for grocery stores, prohibit customers from selfdispensing all unpackaged food.
iv. Abide by Social Distancing Requirements.
This section should not be interpreted to provide an exemption
for businesses engaged in the sale of food or beverage ancillary
to its primary purpose, such as those businesses required to
close under Section 4 who also may engage in some food or
beverage sales.
c. Food and beverage production, transport, and agriculture.
Food and beverage manufacturing, production, processing,
transportation, and cultivation; farming, livestock, fishing,

12

 baking, and other production agriculture, including cultivation,
marketing, production, and distribution of animals and goods for
consumption; businesses that provide food, shelter, and other
necessities of life for animals, including animal shelters,
boarding, rescues, kennels, and adopting facilities; farm and
agriculture equipment, supplies, and repair services.

d. Restaurants. Restaurants shall close, except as follows:
i. Restaurants may remain open for food take-out or delivery
service only.
ii. Alcohol sales must comply with section 13.e. below.
iii. Customers may enter the above establishments only for
the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food or
beverage or both.
iv. No seating may be provided.
v. Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either
indoors or outdoors.
vi. Establishments shall meet Social Distancing Requirements
between all individuals on the premises to the extent
possible.
vii. Cease any self-service operations of salad bars, beverage
stations, and buffets.
viii. Customers are prohibited from self-dispensing any
unpackaged food or beverage.
e. Bars. This includes breweries, brewpubs, wineries, distilleries,
and alcohol beverage retailers. Such establishments shall close,
except as follows:
i. Carryout sales of alcohol beverages and food are allowed,
if permitted by state law and municipal ordinance.
ii. Delivery of alcohol beverages to retail customers is
prohibited.
iii. Wineries holding direct wine shippers' permits may make
deliveries of wine in accordance with their permit.
iv. Customers may enter the above establishments only for
the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food or
beverage or both.
v. No seating may be provided.
vi. Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either
indoors or outdoors.
vii. Establishments shall meet Social Distancing Requirements
between all individuals on the premises to the extent
possible.

13

 viii. Self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations,
and buffets are prohibited.
ix. Customers are prohibited from self-dispensing any
unpackaged food or beverage.
f. Child care settings. Secretary-designee Andrea Palm's
Emergency Order #6 remains in effect, with the following
amendments:
i. Child care settings shall prioritize care for families as
follows:
1. Tier 1: employees, contractors, and other support

staff working in health care;
2. Tier 2: employees, contractors, and other staff in vital
areas including but not limited to military; long term
care; residential care; pharmacies; child care; child
welfare; government operations; public safety and
critical
infrastructure
such
as
sanitation,
transportation, utilities, telecommunications; grocery
and food services; supply chain operations; and other
sectors as determined by the Secretary of the
Department of Children and Families.

ii. Child care settings include all licensed and certified child
care providers who may provide care for any age or ages of
children up to 13 years of age, unless specially licensed for
children with disabilities up to 19 years of age.
g. Organizations that provide charitable and social services.
Businesses and religious and secular nonprofit organizations,
including prevocational group supportive employment, food
banks and food pantries, when providing food, shelter, and social
services, and other necessities of life for economically
disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, individuals who
need assistance as a result of this public health emergency, and
people with disabilities.
h. Weddings, funerals, and religious entities. Religious facilities,
entities, groups, and gatherings, and weddings and funerals,
except that any gathering shall include fewer than 10 people in a
room or confined space at a time and individuals shall adhere to
Social Distancing Requirements as much as possible.

14

 i. Funeral establishments. Funeral establishments, as defined in
Wis. Stat. § 445.01(6), except that any gathering shall include
fewer than 10 people in a room or confined space at a time and
individuals shall adhere to Social Distancing Requirements as
much as possible.
j. Media. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services.
k. Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation. Gas
stations; auto and motorcycle supply, repair and sales; boat
supply, repair, and sales; and bicycle supply, repair, and sales.
1. Financial institutions and services. Banks, credit unions, and
other depository or lending institutions; licensed financial service
providers; insurance services; personnel necessary to perform
essential functions at broker dealers and investment advisor
offices.
m. Hardware and supplies stores. Hardware stores and businesses
that sell electrical, plumbing, heating, and construction material.
n. Critical trades. Building and Construction Tradesmen and
Tradeswomen, and other trades including but not limited to
plumbers, electricians, carpenters, laborers, sheet metal, iron
workers, masonry, pipe trades, fabricators,
finishers,
exterminators, pesticide application, cleaning and janitorial staff
for commercial and governmental properties, security staff,
operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation
services, forestry and arborists, and other service providers who
provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety,
sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential
Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, and Essential
Businesses and Operations.
o. Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services.
Post offices and other businesses that provide shipping and
delivery services, and businesses that ship or deliver groceries,
food, beverages, goods or services to end users or through
commercial channels.
p. Laundry services. Laundromats, dry cleaners,
laundry services, and laundry service providers.

15

industrial

 q. Supplies to work from home. Businesses that sell,
manufacture, or supply products needed for people to work from
home.
r. Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations and
Essential Governmental Functions. Businesses that sell,
manufacture, or supply other Essential Businesses and
Operations and Essential Governmental Functions with the
support or supplies necessary to operate, including computers;
audio and video electronics; household appliances; IT and
telecommunication equipment; hardware; paint; flat glass;
electrical, plumbing, and heating materials; construction
materials and equipment; sanitary equipment; personal hygiene
products; food, food additives, ingredients, and components;
medical and orthopedic equipment; firearm and ammunition
suppliers and retailers for purposes of safety and security; optics
and photography equipment; diagnostic; food and beverages;
chemicals; paper and paper products; soaps and detergents.
Any business or operation that is considered an Essential
Business or Operation under this section may only perform those
business operations which are necessary for the Essential
Business and Operations or Essential Governmental Functions
to which they are supplying goods or services. Any non-essential
goods or services may only continue as Minimum Basic
Operations.

s. Transportation. Airlines, taxis, transportation network
providers (such as Uber and Lyft), vehicle rental services,
paratransit, and other private, public, and commercial
transportation and logistics providers necessary for Essential
Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order.
t. Home-based care and services. Home-based care for seniors,
adults, children, or people with disabilities, substance use
disorders, or mental illness, including caregivers or nannies who
may travel to the child's home to provide care, and other in-home
services including meal delivery.
u. Professional services. Professional services, such as legal or
accounting services, insurance services, real estate services
(including appraisal, home inspection, and title services). These
services shall, to the greatest extent possible, use technology to
avoid meeting in person, including virtual meetings,
teleconference, and remote work (i.e. work from home).

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 v. Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical
products
and
industries.
Manufacturing
companies,
distributors, and supply chain companies producing and
supplying essential products and services in and for industries
such as pharmaceutical, technology, biotechnology, healthcare,
chemicals and sanitation, waste pickup and disposal,
agriculture, food and beverage, transportation, energy, steel and
steel products, petroleum and fuel, mining, construction,
national defense, communications, and products used by other
Essential Governmental Functions and Essential Businesses and
Operations.
Any business or operation that is considered an Essential
Business or Operation under this section may only perform those
business operations which are necessary for the Essential
Business and Operations or Essential Governmental Functions
to which they are supplying goods or services. Any non-essential
goods or services may only continue as Minimum Basic
Operations.

w. Critical labor union functions. Essential activities include the
administration of health and welfare funds and personnel
checking on the well-being and safety of members providing
services in Essential Business and Operations, provided the
checks are done by telephone or remotely where possible.

x. Hotels and motels. Hotels and motels, except that such
establishments shall:
i. Comply with requirements of 13.b, 13.d. and 13.e.

ii. Close swimming pools, hot tubs, and exercise facilities.
iii. Prohibit guests from congregating in lobbies or other
common areas, including providing adequate space to
adhere to Social Distancing Requirements while queuing
for front desk services.

y. Higher
educational
institutions.
Higher
educational
institutions, for purposes of facilitating distance learning,
performing critical research, or performing essential functions as
determined by the institution.

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 z. WEDC designated businesses. In the exceptional circumstance
that a business is not listed in this Order as an Essential
Business or Operations but believes that it should be included in
that designation, the business should consult the information
page on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
(WEDC) website, here: www.wedc.org/nonessentialbusiness . If a
business still believes that it does not fall within the meaning of
Essential Businesses and Operations, it may apply to the
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) using the
provided form requesting designation as such.
14. Minimum Basic Operations. For the purposes of this Order, Minimum
Basic Operations include the following, provided that employees comply
with Social Distancing Requirements, to the extent possible, while
carrying out such operations:
a. Basic functions. The minimum necessary activities to maintain
the value of the business's inventory, preserve the condition of
the business's physical plant and equipment, ensure security,
process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions,
including where these functions are outsourced to other entities.
b. Facilitating remote work. The minimum necessary activities to
facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to
work remotely from their residences.
c. Employee
designation.
Non-essential
businesses
and
operations must determine which of their workers are necessary
to conduct Minimum Basic Operations and inform such workers
of that designation.
d. Delivery and mailings. Minimum Basic Operations may include
fulfilling nonessential deliveries, mailing parcels, or receiving
parcels if all of the operations are performed by one person in a
room or confined space, including a car or truck. Delivery or
parcel services may not require a signature by the recipient.
Suppliers to non-essential businesses and supply chains for nonessential businesses are non-essential and shall only operate
under Minimum Basic Operations to provide goods or services to
other non-essential businesses operating under this section.
e. Curb-side pick-up. Minimum Basic Operations may include
curb-side pick-up of goods, if all of the operations are performed
by one person in a room or confined space at a time, including a
car or truck. Goods must be purchased online or by phone before

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 pick-up. The goods must be pre-packaged by the manufacturer,
distributor, or store. The store may not require a signature by the
customer. The store must schedule pick-ups to ensure
compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in
section 16 of the Safer at Home Order. Suppliers to non-essential
businesses and supply chains for non-essential businesses are
non-essential and shall only operate under Minimum Basic
Operations to provide goods or services to other non-essential
businesses operating under this section.

f. Arts and craft stores. Arts and craft stores may offer curb-side
pick-up as described in section 14.e. More than one staff
member, but no more than the minimum number of staff
necessary, may work at the store solely for filling orders for
materials for making personal protective equipment (i.e.
homemade facemasks). The additional staff allowed in this
section may not sell, package, or assist in any way with the sale
of items not necessary for making personal protective equipment.
All staff working to fulfill or process orders for personal protective
equipment must comply with all requirements in Section 2.b.i.
and 2.b.ii. of this Order.
g. Aesthetic or optional exterior work. Minimum Basic
Operations may include aesthetic or optional exterior residential
construction and lawn care, if all the operations are performed
by one person in a room or confined space, including a car or
truck. No more than one employee or worker may be on the site
at a time. Services may not require a signature by the recipient.
Aesthetic or optional exterior work requiring more than one
person on the site are prohibited.
15. Essential Travel. Individuals are strongly encouraged to remain at their
primary residence or home. Travel to second homes or residences should
be avoided if possible. Consistent with federal guidance and to protect
our neighboring states, Wisconsinites are encouraged to stay close to
home and strongly discouraged from engaging in unnecessary travel.
Individuals engaged in any Essential Travel must comply with Social
Distancing Requirements to the extent possible. For the purposes of this
Order, Essential Travel includes:

a. Any travel related to the prov1s10n of or access to Essential
Activities, Special Situations, Essential Governmental Functions,
Essential Businesses and Operations, or Minimum Basic
Operations.

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 b. Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with
disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.

c. Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of
receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, or
any other related services.

d. Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the
jurisdiction.
e. Travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to
transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.
f. Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of
residence outside Wisconsin. Individuals are strongly
encouraged to verify that their transportation out of Wisconsin
remains available and functional prior to commencing such
travel.
16. Social Distancing Requirements. For purposes of this Order, Social
Distancing Requirements includes:
a. Maintaining social distancing of six (6) feet between people;

b. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as
c.
d.
e.
f.

frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer;
Covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands);
Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces;
Not shaking hands; and
Following all other public health recommendations issued by
DHS and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

ENFORCEMENT AND APPLICABILITY
17. Tribal Nations.
a. Activities by Tribal members within the boundaries of their Tribal
reservations and federal land held in trust for any one of the
eleven federally recognized Tribes in Wisconsin are exempt from
the restrictions in this Order but may be subject to restrictions
by tribal authorities.

b. Non-tribal members should be respectful of and avoid nonessential travel to Tribal territory.

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 c. Wisconsin's local governments shall coordinate, collaborate, and
share information with the Tribal Nations in their region.
18. Enforcement. This Order is enforceable by any local law enforcement
official, including county sheriffs. Violation or obstruction of this Order
is punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, or up to $250 fine, or both.
Wis. Stat. § 252.25.
19. Severability. If any provision of this Order or its application to any
person or circumstance is held to be invalid, then the remainder of the
Order, including the application of such part or provision to other
persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full
force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this Order are severable.
20. Supremacy. This Order supersedes any local order that is in conflict
with this order.
21. Duration. This Order shall become effective at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April
24, 2020. This Order shall remain in effect until 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday,
May 26, 2020.

1

Andrea Palm
Secretary-designee
Department of Health Services

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