Waukesha County Issues Guidelines to Help Businesses Safely Reopen During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Public health is Waukesha County’s top priority. While COVID-19 remains in the community, robust efforts to mitigate the pandemic have allowed Waukesha County to locally meet all gating criteria set by the state to determine when we can allow our residents to get back to work.

As the county is on target with the data-driven goals set forth by state and local public health officials, the county is issuing a set of recommendations for county residents and businesses, rather than orders, to allow them to safely conduct business and other activities moving forward.These recommendations provide industries with flexibility to resume operations while being mindful of CDC recommendations.

While no orders are currently in place, Waukesha County Public Health continues to monitor the situation. Over the next two weeks, we will reevaluate these recommendations and will take appropriate actions, if necessary, to continue to protect the health and safety of our residents. It is important that all Waukesha County residents to continue to do their part to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Protecting the most vulnerable citizens: Protecting our citizens at highest risk of contracting COVID-19 remains our top priority. The county recommends those vulnerable residents continue sheltering in place to best isolate themselves from COVID-19. People living with vulnerable residents should keep in mind that once they return to work or attend events and activities where social distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Waukesha County Public Health continues to work closely with area hospitals and receive updates from long-term care and assisted living facilities to keep our citizens safe.

Re-opening of businesses:
There are no orders issued by Waukesha County restricting the operation of businesses. We do, however, recommend that businesses encourage telework whenever possible and limit use of common areas where personnel are likely to congregate. We encourage businesses to adopt social distancing and other protocols and procedures to help their employees and customers remain safe. Businesses should strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population.

Like all businesses, large venues like sit-down restaurants, bars, movie theaters, sporting venues, gyms and places of worship can operate, but should consider social distancing protocols recommended by the CDC. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has issued Reopen Guidelines for businesses at www.wedc.org/reopen-guidelines.(Continued)

Mass Gatherings:
Social settings of more than 50 people, where appropriate social distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed. All individuals, when in public, at county parks, outdoor recreation areas, or at shopping malls or similar locations should consider maximizing physical distance from others.

Over the next two weeks, the county will reevaluate the recommendation to limit social groups to those of 50 people or fewer. At that time, depending upon the status of area hospitals, and other gating criteria, the county public health division may revise the recommendation and either increase, or decrease the recommended number of people that should socially gather. In the case of a dramatic increase in cases of COVID-19 in the county, or the inability of area hospitals to care for patients in need of treatment, the county may be forced to issue orders to help reduce the spread of the disease.

Information about Waukesha County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic may be found on the county’s website www.waukeshacounty.gov/COVID19 and on social media accounts.

Read the Release Here.