Governor Evers announces more store openings in Wisconsin

Governor Evers and Secretary-Designee Palm today announced a further "turning of the dial" in Wisconsin. Emergency Order 36 allows all standalone or strip-mall based retail stores to open to in-person shopping for up to five customers at one time. Social distancing as outlined in previous orders must be maintained, and face coverings are highly recommended for all employees and customers. If customers are queued for entry the lines must include 6-foot markers to maintain social distancing, or other means must be used such as paging customers who are waiting in cars. This change does not affect service businesses such as hair stylists, etc.

The order additionally allows the opening of drive-in theaters with some restrictions - drive-ins must not have outdoor seating, and customers may only leave their cars to pick up food and to go to the restroom. Drive-ins may also deliver food to cars.

"In addition to added flexibilities and steps we have already taken for businesses, this is another disciplined turn of the dial that will allow Wisconsin's business owners to safely get back to work and Wisconsin consumers to support their favorite local spots," said Gov. Evers. "Both customers and workers need to be confident in their safety, so we need everyone to be diligent in following best safety practices so we can continue to move our state forward while keeping our neighbors, families, and communities safe and healthy." 

Today's order expands on the lessening of restrictions that was announced in Emergency Order 34, which allowed all businesses including libraries to do curb-side pickup and deliveries and allowed some other classes of business to open.

The new emergency order takes place immediately, and will certainly be discussed in today's media briefing.