Closed because of the virus!

Governor Tony Evers’s order “Safer at Home” has closed all non-essential activities including church activities as this sign at Holy Cross Lutheran Church states. —photo by Carlton DeWitt

Our Communities seem like ghost towns with people concerned about catching the Coronavirus and are following rules that governor Tony Evers put into effect last week to “Safer at Home” in hopes that he will keep the virus from infecting more people.

On Monday, President Trump extended his Social Distancing Guidelines until the end of April.
All schools are closed, as are most of the local businesses, those that are not considered essential.
The governor’s order closed all state public and private K-12 schools and public libraries, except for facilitating distance learning or virtual learning. School extracurricular activities are also closed, as are libraries, but schools and public libraries may be used for Essential Government Functions and food distribution.

All school and community activities have been cancelled because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. —photo by Carlton DeWitt

Also ordered closed are places of public amusement and activity, including amusement parks, carnivals, water parks, public and private swimming pools, museums, fairs, theaters, country clubs, bowling alleys, and fitness centers. Salons and spas are subject to the close order including Barber Shops, hair salons, tanning facilities, tattoo parlors and fitness centers.

Local parks and community gathering places have been closed in an attempt to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. —photo by Carlton DeWitt

Some of the businesses that can remain open are: Stores that sell groceries and medicine. Businesses that do food and beverage production, transport and agriculture for production, processing, transportation and cultivation, farming, fishing and baking, can remain open.
Restaurants may remain open for food take-out or delivery service only. Bars can be open only for carry-out sales of alcohol beverages and food only if allowed by local ordinances.

The Governor’s “Safer at Home” declaration last week closed all non-essential businesses and activities. —photo by Carlton DeWitt

Other businesses allowed to continue to operate are Child Care settings with certain conditions. Organizations that provide charitable and social services can remain open, as can facilities for weddings, funerals and religious entities as long as any gathering shall include fewer than 10 people in a room or confined space at a time and individuals shall adhere to the social distancing requirements as much as possible.

Other firms that are allowed to remain open are Gas Stations and businesses needed for transportation; newspapers, television, radio and other media services.

Financial institutions, hardware and supply stores, tradesmen and tradeswomen, delivery people, laundry services, supplies to work from home, transportation, home based care, professional services.
Others include Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products, critical labor union functions.

Hotels and motels as long as they prohibit guests from congregating in lobbies or other common areas, higher educational institutions for the purpose of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research.

As of Monday, March 30th, 145,055 cases of the Coronavirus have been reported in the United States with 2513 deaths. In Wisconsin, 1180 cases reporter with 20 deaths. St. Croix and Pierce County each have reported four cases, while Dunn County has there. No deaths have been reported in those counties. Wisconsin has had 16,550 negative tests.

Glenwood City Public Works members put up yellow tape to close Hinman Park to the public for the duration of the “Safer at Home” that Governor Evers put into effect last week. —photo submitted