FOR ANTIGO TIMES

Menominee, Shawano — The Wisconsin Supreme Courts decision to invalidate the Safer at Home Order last week has led to some uncertainty during this time of COVID-19. Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department has already provided a review of precautions to take. We have been receiving questions about what to do in different situations and we have also been gathering information on statewide, regional, and other local recommendations. Today, we are providing additional guidelines to help you make decisions about your upcoming activities.

These guidelines may be subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves and we will keep you informed of any changes. Changes to these guidelines will be influenced by the states progress toward Badger Bounce Back gating criteria. To help with determining changes in guidelines, Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department will also monitor local data related to COVID-19 testing rates, number & rate of positive cases, hospital capacity, contact tracing capacity, and availability of personal protective equipment.

“Although more places may be reopening, COVID-19 has not gone away and we must still continue to take precautions to protect ourselves, our families, and our community”, said Vicki Dantoin, Health Officer. Below are the additional guidelines we urge you to follow to help protect the publics health.

SAFETY
– All individuals should take precautions when leaving their homes. Some of these precautions include:
o Maintain physical distancing of 6 feet between individuals.
o Wash hands often
o Cover coughs
o Frequently clean high touch surfaces and objects
o Consider wearing a face mask in public, in gatherings,
workplaces, or where it is difficult to maintain physical distance.

-Sick or symptomatic individuals should take additional precautions.
o Stay home as much as possible
o Do not go to work or school
o Wear a face covering if out in public.
o Follow public health quarantine and isolation guidelines when needed

-Vulnerable individuals should practice extra precautions.
o Those who are vulnerable include: people over 65 years of age, pregnant women, people in long term care facilities, people with compromised or weak immune systems, and people with serious underlying health conditions (heart, lung, liver, or kidney conditions; diabetes, obesity, asthma).
o Vulnerable individuals should stay home as much as possible.
o Household members of vulnerable individuals should be aware
that they may carry the virus home and should isolate from
vulnerable individuals.

-Individuals who are homeless or feel unsafe at home should seek shelter at a safe location.

GATHERINGS
-Gatherings include any indoor or outdoor group gathering of people who are not maintaining at least 6 feet of space between people at all times.
o Gatherings also include any individuals in a confined space.
o Gatherings DO NOT include individuals living in the same household, but individuals should be counted separately if gathered with non-household members.
-Gatherings of more than 10 individuals should be avoided at this time.
-Businesses, places of worship, health care operations, public health operations, human services operations, essential infrastructure operations, and government functions are not subject to gathering limitations. See additional information below for businesses and places of worship.
-Large outdoor gatherings such as fairs, carnivals, festivals, or parades should not be held at this time.

PUBLIC SPACES
-Child care settings and K-12 schools should continue to follow guidelines from the Department of Health Services and the Department of Public Instruction.
-Summer camps and summer schools should be closed until further notice.
-Libraries and community centers should follow the requirements of businesses.

BUSINESSES
-Businesses should limit the number of individuals in the business to 25% of the total occupancy at this time.
-Businesses should continue to limit the number of staff and customers as much as possible and maintain 6 feet of distance.
-A business toolkit with additional business guidelines is available on the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department website.
-A separate set of business and industry specific guidelines is also available on the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department website.
-It is also recommended to follow the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Reopen Guidelines for your specific industry.

PLACES OF WORSHIP
-It is recommended that places of worship limit the number of individuals on the premises to 25% of the total occupancy.
-6 feet of distancing between individuals who are not in the same household should be followed.
-Additional safety and cleaning protocols are strongly encouraged.
-Consider following CDC guidelines for faith based communities.

TRAVEL
-Individuals are strongly encouraged to remain close to home.
-Avoid unnecessary travel when possible.
-Maintain physical distancing as much as possible when using public transportation. Use of masks on public transportation is encouraged.
-It is recommended that you complete a 14 day quarantine after travelling outside of your regular home and workplace area.

Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department thanks everyone for their willingness and effort to help protect the publics health at this time. May you and yours be safe and well!

Local COVID-19 Resources
Stay up to date with Shawano County case counts:
https://www.co.shawano.wi.us/departments/?department=5c6edb95d748&subde
partment=5da3aabb05e8

Stay up to date with Menominee County case counts:
https://www.co.menominee.wi.us/departments/?department=d5f584c71198

Or follow Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SMCHD/

Other COVID-19 Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019