Wisconsin – COVID-19 Tracking

UPDATE 4.21

On Monday, April 20^th, 2020, Wisconsin Gov. Evers announced the Badger Bounce Back plan, which outlined essential criteria for Wisconsin to be able to reopen its economy in phases while ensuring the health and safety of all WI citizens.  Ordered by Wisconsin Health Services Secretary-designee, Andrea Palm, the Emergency Order (Emergency Order #31, Badger Bounce Back) adopts a phased approach. This Phased approach applies incrementally fewer restrictions on businesses and individuals while ensuring to protect the public from COVID-19.

Here is the full text of the Emergency Order #31 that outlines the Phases and Progression through each Phase:

State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Tony Evers, Governor
Andrea Palm, Secretary

EMERGENCY ORDER #31 Badger Bounce Back

NOW THEREFORE, I, Andrea Palm, Department of Health Services Secretary-designee, by the authority vested in me by the Laws of the State, including but not limited to Section 252.02(3), (4), and (6) of the Wisconsin Statutes, order the following:

1. Phases. Wisconsin shall adopt a phased approach to re-opening its economy and society, with each phase being incrementally less restrictive on businesses and individuals while protecting the public from COVID-19. The Department of Health Services shall announce the transition to each Phase with an order fully articulating the activities that will resume. The Phases include:
   1. Safer at Home. Currently in effect, as established m Emergency Orders # 12 and #28.
      1. Phase One. Phase One will include allowing mass gatherings of up to 10 people; restaurants opening with social distancing requirements; removal of certain restrictions including retail restrictions for Essential Businesses and Operations; additional operations for non-essential businesses; K-12 schools to resume in-person operation; and child care settings resuming full operation.
      2. Phase Two. Phase Two will include allowing mass gatherings of up to 50 people; restaurants resuming full operation; bars reopening with social distancing requirements; non-essential businesses resuming operations with social distancing requirements; and postsecondary education institutions may resume operation.
      3. Phase Three. Phase Three will resume all business activity and gatherings, with minimal protective and preventative measures in place for the general public and more protective measures for vulnerable populations.
   2. Progression through the Phases. The Department of Health Services shall assess the most up-to-date data to determine when it is appropriate to progress to the next Phase. To move to the next Phase, the state must make progress toward the goals identified below as Core Responsibilities and meet the Gating Criteria.
      1. Core Responsibilities. The state must show progress or advancement in the following areas:
         1. Testing. Every Wisconsin resident who has symptoms of COVID-19 has access to a lab test. Results will be reported to the patient and public health officials within 48 hours of collection. The ultimate goal is 85,000 tests per week or approximately 12,000 tests per day.
         2. Tracing. Increase contact tracing by up to 1,000 people and implement technology solutions to ensure everyone who is infected or exposed will safely isolate or quarantine.
         3. Tracking. Building on systems used to track influenza and the COVID-19 pandemic, track the spread of COVID-19 and report on the Wisconsin Gating Criteria and other related metrics.
         4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Procure PPE and other necessary supplies to support health care and public safety agencies.
         5. Health Care Capacity. Assess the need for and readiness to support surge capacity for our healthcare system.
      2. Gating Criteria. The state must meet the following Gating Criteria, based on state-wide public health data:
         1. Symptoms:
            1. Downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses reported within a 14-day period; and
            2. Downward trajectory of COVID-19-like syndromic cases reported in a 14-day period.
         2. Cases: Downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period.
         3. Hospitals:
            1. 1. Treatment of all patients without crisis care;
               2. Robust testing programs in place for at-risk healthcare workers; and
               3. Decreasing numbers of infected healthcare workers.
         4. Interim progress within a Phase. In addition to progressing through each Phase above, the Department of Health Services, in consultation with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, shall issue additional orders to reduce restrictions on certain businesses or sectors if it is determined that removing the restrictions will have minimal impact on the state’s ability to meet its Core Responsibilities and Gating Criteria.
         5. Local orders. The Department of Health Services, in consultation with local health officials, may address localized outbreaks with a localized order. Such order may include adjusting the Phase or instituting tailored restrictions based on the needs of a particular location, county, or region.
         6. Safer at Home remains in effect. Nothing in this Order modifies, alters, or supersedes Emergency Orders #12 and #28, Safer at Home Order. However, orders instituting the phases under Section 2 and interim orders reducing restrictions under Section 3 may be issued prior to the expiration of Emergency Order #28, if appropriate under the criteria stated above.

         You can read the full order here: Emergency Order #31, Badger Bounce Back

          

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         UPDATE 4.15

         Wisconsin BLOG: On April 15^th, 2020 the Wisconsin Legislative Council passed and Gov. Evers signs omnibus COVID-19 response bill, which conforms the state to the federal paycheck protection program.  The provisions that may have the most impact interest to our small business contractor partners in the state include the following provisions:

          

         Unemployment Insurance

         Unemployment Insurance Under current law, an employer may utilize a “work-share” structure to keep workers employed who would otherwise be laid off. The program uses partial unemployment benefits combined with continued, but reduced, work hours. Assembly Bill 1038 creates a more accessible, modified workshare program for employers to utilize in lieu of laying persons off. For example, during the period covered by the bill: (1) work-share plans must cover at least two positions that are filled on the effective date of the work-share program, rather than at least the greater of 20 positions or 10 percent of employees in a work unit under current law; (2) the maximum reduction in working hours under a work-share program may be either 60 percent of the normal hours per week of the employees included under a work-share plan, or any other maximum provided by federal law, whichever is greater, rather than the 50-percent reduction provided under current law; (3) work-share plans may cover any employees of the employer; rather than be limited to a particular work unit of the employer as provided in current law; and (4) reduced working hours need not be apportioned equitably among employees in the work-share program. The modified program requirements apply to a work-share plan that is submitted by an employer between the bill’s enactment and December 31, 2020.

          

         Assembly Amendment 4 allows an employer with a work-share plan that was approved by the Department of Workforce Development prior to the bill’s enactment to submit a plan modification so that the plan is subject to the modified program requirements.

          

         Plan for Supporting Affected Industries

         Assembly Bill 1038 requires the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to submit a report to the Legislature and the Governor by June 30, 2020. The report must include a plan for providing support to the major industries in this state that have been adversely affected by the COVID19 public health emergency, including tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, retail, and services.

          

         Assembly Amendment 4 adds the forest products industry to the list of industries that WEDC is specifically required to address in the plan.

          

         Source: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/related/lcamendmemo/ab1038.pdf