Author: Sam Buisman
Dane County shifts to “Phase 1” of its coronavirus re-opening plan today, permitting all businesses to open at limited capacities and larger yet still socially-distanced private gatherings.
Public Health Madison and Dane County executed its order moving Dane County into “Phase 1” of its “Forward Dane” re-opening plan at 8:00 Tuesday morning. During this phase, all businesses, including restaurants, retail and gyms, may re-open at 25% capacity, and gatherings of up to 50 people at indoor commercial facilities and 10 people at private facilities are permitted, as long as social distancing can be maintained.
Commenting on the shift in a press release, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway reminded county residents that this easement does not constitute an end to the pandemic.
“As businesses prepare to reopen, I encourage everyone to still take precautions to reduce the spread of disease: wash hands often, continue to practice physical distancing, and wear cloth face coverings,” said Rhodes-Conway. “We all want to get back to ‘normal,' but this is a phased approach to make sure we can still contain and mitigate illness; our fight isn't over.”
This phase is the third of six steps within Public Health Madison and Dane County's “Forward Dane” plan, which the county issued after the statewide Badger Bounce Back plan was rendered null by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The plan is structured as a gradual re-opening of Dane County based on local health care metrics, including the number of new cases per day, tests administered, percent of positive COVID-19 tests and more.
Still, “Phase 1” does come with some notable restrictions. K-12 schools are still forbidden from administering in-person instruction, contact sports arenas, steam rooms and saunas at gyms must remain closed, and retail businesses cannot offer free samples, among others.
In addition, public health guidelines on social distancing and mask-wearing are still in effect. “Phase 1” mandates that customers and employees of restaurants, bars, tattoo parlors, salons and other businesses follow these guidelines at various degrees.
The next step within this plan, titled “Phase 2,” would allow businesses to operate at 50% capacity, private gatherings of up to 50 people, and for K-12 and post-secondary schools to resume in-person instruction. However, public health officials stressed that it would be a minimum of two weeks, and likely much longer, before Dane County transitions to this phase.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, there are currently 604 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Dane County, part of the 15,584 cases statewide.
