Order includes WEDC and CDC guidelines for reopening
Waupaca County Public Health issued a new order following the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision overturning the state’s Emergency Order 28.
All Waupaca County businesses are immediately allowed to open.
Churches and other organizations can reopen if they follow the same general guidelines.
The new order came out on the same day as Waupaca County had its largest single day spike in the number of positive COVID-19 test results.
The county has reported 17 cases since March 27. Three new cases were reported on May 14.
Of the 17 cases, one patient has died and nine have recovered.
Waupaca County Public Health reports a total of 784 negative cases and 80 pending cases.
General guidelines
They are required to follow the reopening guidelines developed by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some of the guidelines are listed below.
More comprehensive guidelines can be found at wedc.org/reopen-guidelines/ and cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html.
• Consider options to increase physical space between employees and customers, such as opening a drive-thru, erecting partitions and marking floors to guide spacing at least 6-feet apart.
• Implement touchless payment options to minimize handling of cash, credit cards and mobile or electronic devices when possible.
• Deliver products through curbside pick-up or delivery.
• Discourage workers from sharing phones, desks, offices and other work tools and equipment if possible.
• Workers who have frequent, close contact with customers or other workers may need to wear some combination of a face mask, a face shield and/or goggles. PPE for workers will vary by work task and the types of exposures workers have on the job.
• Gloves can be a source of contamination if they are not removed properly. Without training, gloves may pose a greater risk of contamination than not wearing them. Use of gloves is not always recommended for every industry or job task.
• The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings, especially in areas of community transmission.
• A cloth face covering does not protect the wearer from viruses, but it may prevent the spread of viruses from the wearer to other people. Face coverings are not PPE and are not appropriate where masks or respirators are required.
• Instruct employees to sanitize shared workplace items before and after each use.
Sanitation
• Before opening, businesses should sanitize their space to limit the spread of virus to their employees and customers.
• Clean and disinfect all areas. Give special attention to tools, workstations, restrooms, food service areas, phones, computers, and other electronics.
• Replace HVAC air filters following the manufacturer’s guidance. Workplaces should consult with HVAC professionals when considering ventilation changes to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
• Ensure that all water systems and features are safe to use after a prolonged facility shutdown.
• Encourage frequent handwashing, make soap and water available in the workplace, .
Restaurants
In addition to its general guidelines, WEDC has special guidelines for restaurants.
• Employees who have a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to work.
• Maintain an adequate supply of paper goods, soap and hand sanitizer to allow proper hand hygiene among employees and customers.
• Provide tissues for proper cough/sneeze etiquette and no-touch disposal receptacles.
• Employees should wear a face mask or cloth face covering when near other employees and customers.
• Sanitize high-contact areas in the front and back of the house (for example, doorknobs, buttons, cooler doors, shopping carts/baskets and check-out counters) every two hours, or after each user if feasible.
• Sanitize tables and seating after each guest.
• Sanitize food contact surfaces after each use.
• Restrooms should be sanitized frequently, and the establishment shall monitor that patrons and staff adhere to social distancing guidelines regarding restroom use.
• Use disposable menus or sanitize menus after each use.
• Do not use disinfecting wipes to wipe more than one surface; use one wipe per item or area and discard after each use or when visibly soiled.
• Use gloves to avoid direct bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods or unwrapped single-use items such as straws, stir sticks or toothpicks.
• Wrap food containers to prevent cross-contamination.
• Do not allow customers to refill their own drinks; only allow staff to refill drinks, and use a new cup or mug for the refill.
• The capacity of customer-facing businesses should be reduced as much as possible to ensure adequate social distancing.
• Eliminate any unnecessary physical contact between staff and customers, and maintain social distancing with a 6-foot distance between individuals whenever possible.
• Install physical barriers such as sneeze guards and partitions at cash registers, bars, host stands and other areas where maintaining physical distance of 6 feet is difficult.
• Offer cashless and contactless transactions whenever possible.
• When exchanging paper and coin money, staff should not touch their face afterward. Ask customers to place cash on the counter rather than directly into your hand. Place money on the counter, not in hand, when providing change back to customers.
• Clean counter after each customer at checkout.
• Any indoor or outdoor waiting area must be marked to enforce social distancing standards. One member of a party should be allowed in the waiting area, while other members of the party wait in their vehicle. Advance reservations are preferred to walk-in dining.
• Dining rooms should maintain 6 feet between tables.
• When possible, physical barriers made of plastic or similar solid material should separate tables/booths. Tables and booths that are not compliant should be clearly signed and blocked off (i.e., with visible tape) across seats and tables.
• Limit each tables to six guests. Extra chairs should be removed and tables may not be combined.
• For bar areas, two bar stools should be left empty between customers not in the same party. The same rules apply to outdoor patio areas.
Effective dates
The Waupaca County Health Order is dated May 14, 2020, and will remain in effect until June 15.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. Conditions and Orders are subject to change.