'Reopen Slowly' Central Racine Health Officials Urge

RACINE COUNTY, WI — There could be legal ramifications for those who do not follow state-mandated guidelines when reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, Central Racine County health officials said Monday.

“The coronavirus pandemic has not gone away just because the Wisconsin Supreme Court has overturned the Safer at Home order,” said Margaret Gesner, Health Officer for Central Racine County Health Department in a statement Monday. “The basic principle we are urging is that businesses or organizations reopen slowly.”

People who live in Racine, Elmwood Park and Wind Point, are subject to the City of Racine's health department, which has issued its own Safer At Home order. Everyone else in the county falls under the Central Racine County Health Department, which is following the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's guidelines. Those guidelines can be read here.

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Genser said each business and organization must be aware "if they reopen in a reckless or unsafe manner, they may subject themselves and their business or organization to a civil lawsuit should an employee or customer become ill."

As of Monday, Racine County has seen a total of 18 COVID-19-related deaths, and 1,034 total positive cases.

“If we are not careful, our percentage of positive cases and our case rate may increase. If our COVID-19 cases surge, our hospitals may be overwhelmed, and we may experience an increase in preventable deaths. These are all unacceptable outcomes for our community and our businesses. We must protect the most vulnerable amongst us and wisely, slowly reopen for the health of our entire community.”

Businesses are urged to adhere to social distancing-related guidelines which include:

• All retail establishments should limit the number of customers and staff to no more than 50 percent of store capacity.
• All restaurants should limit the number of customers and staff to 50 percent of establishment capacity. There should be no more than 6 people per table; tables should be arranged so that patrons at a given table are at least 6 feet from patrons at any other table.
• Bars should limit the number of staff and customers to 50 percent capacity.
• Mass gatherings whether indoor or outdoor should be limited to 50 persons or 25 percent of capacity, whichever is greater.
• Large venues and businesses should be limited to 4 people per 1,000 square feet.
• Places of public amusement whether indoor or outdoor should be limited to 50 people or 25 percent capacity, whichever is greater.
• Festivals and fairs scheduled should be cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled for now.
• Failure by entities or locations to adhere to social distancing guidelines that results in people being infected or suspected of being infected may result in the spread of COVID-19 and further restrictions on those specific entities or location.

Related Reading

• Wisconsin Coronavirus Tracker
• Wearing Masks During Coronavirus: What The Wisconsin DHS Says
• Coronavirus: Some Wisconsin Businesses Can Reopen Under New Order

• What's going on in Wisconsin? Find Out Here
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