Gov. Evers issues mask mandate
Gov. Tony Evers’s mask requirement took effect Aug. 1.
The mandate requires people 5 and older to wear face coverings when indoors. Exemptions are provided for people with medical conditions or disabilities. Masks are also not required outdoors or in private residences. Masks are advised in close quarters outside, and social distancing is encouraged in all cases.
The order is set to expire Sept. 28.
“While our local health departments have been doing a heck of a job responding to this pandemic in our communities, the fact of the matter is, this virus doesn't care about any town, city or county boundary, and we need a statewide approach to get Wisconsin back on track,” said Evers in a statement. “We’ve said all along that we’re going to let science and public health experts be our guide in responding to this pandemic, and we know that masks and face coverings will save lives. While I know emotions are high when it comes to wearing face coverings in public, my job as governor is to put people first and to do what's best for the people of our state, so that's what I am going to do.”
Evers said he issued the order in light of more cases of COVID-19. As of the most recent count, 61 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties were dealing with coronavirus case increases. In June, only 19 counties were seeing case spikes.
There was an average of 938 new cases in the state between July 22 and 26, a five-percent increase from the previous week.
“Staying home, limiting interactions, practicing physical distancing and washing your hands thoroughly are still the most effective ways to stop the spread,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Wisconsin’s chief medical officer and state epidemiologist for communicable diseases. “But we learn something new about this virus every day. A growing number of scientific studies tell us that face coverings, when used correctly and consistently by a large percentage of the community, are extremely effective for preventing the spread of COVID-19 through respiratory droplets.”
