Based on criteria established by Gov. Tony Evers in his “Badger Bounce Back” plan, the state of Wisconsin has met all the requirements necessary to reopen the economy, according to a report released by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
WMC, which called on Evers to end his safer-at-home order and start reopening the state’s economy, says an analysis of data from the Evers administration and the Department of Health Services shows that Wisconsin has met all of the governor’s criteria for reopening to begin.
Meanwhile, Evers has announced several best practice guidelines for Wisconsin businesses to reopen, and he told WBAY-TV in Green Bay that he sees no need to extend the safer-at-home order beyond May 26.
WMC, which is considered a statewide chamber of commerce, believes Evers can reopen the state immediately. The organization says Wisconsin has now met “gating criteria” related to the downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses reported within a 14-day period, the downward trajectory of COVID-19-like syndromic cases reported in a 14-day period, the downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period, and other public health objectives.
WMC had called on Evers not to extend the safer-at-home order beyond April 24, but Evers announced an extension through May 26 — a decision that is the subject of a lawsuit before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. After the order was extended, WMC unveiled its Back to Business plan that would have allowed all businesses to open on May 4.
“Wisconsin’s safer-at-home-order was put in place to flatten the curve on the state’s COVID-19 cases, but now we need to focus on flattening another curve: the state’s unemployment filings,” states Kurt Bauer, president and CEO of WMC. “While the governor has not adopted WMC’s plans to reopen the economy, his own data and metrics now say we can move forward.”
Evers turns the dial
In announcing best practices and safety guidelines for Wisconsin businesses, Evers said that businesses looking to keep workers, customers, and families safe while “turning the dial” toward reopening can now draw on a series of publications to keep them informed of best practices and safety tips.
The brochures include general guidelines for all businesses to follow, as well as industry-specific advice for restaurants, retailers, manufacturers, and other sectors. “Wisconsin businesses have done a great job in adapting to our state’s safer-at-home order,” Evers says. “As we begin to ‘turn the dial,’ they need to know how to reopen safely so that employees and customers can feel confident when they return.”
The guides were developed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) in consultation with the Departments of Health Services, Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and Tourism. WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes says the guides aim to provide actionable advice for businesses, especially small businesses, as they begin the road back to reopening.
“The guides answer basic questions, such as how to handle transactions at cash registers, what to do about merchandise that’s been handled by customers, and how to set up an office using social distancing strategies,” she states.
Some of the general advice for businesses includes:
• Making sure that employees who are sick don’t come to work;
• Curtailing business travel whenever possible;
• Promoting telecommuting or other work-from-home arrangements; and
• Making sure employees have access to sanitizers and personal protective equipment when appropriate.
Evers says the reopening of state businesses will continue to be guided by the health care metrics contained in the Badger Bounce Back plan, which include tracking new cases of COVID-19, assessing available medical resources to cope with COVID cases, and ensuring adequate testing and mitigation resources.
