Governor Evers announced coordination with local health departments to create community testing events in locations with a known lack of testing or locations that need additional testing. As testing site information changes frequently. For the most up-to-date information about each testing site contact your local health department. (May 4)
ECONOMIC RESPONSE
Essential Service Designations:
Under Governor Evers’ Stay-At-Home order, essential businesses and operationsCISA List; stores that sell groceries and medicine; food and beverage production, transport, and agriculture; restaurants and bars for takeout; child care settings; charitable and social service organizations; weddings, funerals, and religious entities; media; gas stations and businesses needed for transportation; financial institutions and services; hardware and supply stores; critical trades; mail and delivery; laundry services; supplies for essential services and operations; transportation; home care services; professional services; manufacturers, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries; hotels and motels; higher education; among others. Details can be found here.
Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:
Wisconsin released official reopening guidance for businesses based on sector. Details for each sector can be found here.
Economic Stimulus & Relief:
Governor Evers announced a special session to expand BadgerCare and invest $1 billion in Wisconsin’s economic recovery and more than 50 economic development programs. The special session is scheduled for May 25. (May 19)
Wisconsin’s moratorium on foreclosures and evictions was extended until the end of May. (March 29)
Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Children & Families announced a plan to use fund allocated through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to offset the continued impact of the pandemic on costs associated with providing early care and education. (March 4)
Governor Evers announced $6.6 million to support organizations providing out-of-school care for children during the pandemic. (November 18)
Governor Evers announced an estimated $256.4 million in tax relief for Wisconsin taxpayers. (October 20)
Governor Evers announced $50 million for an additional round of Child Care Counts payments for early care and education. (October 13)
Governor Evers announced an additional $47 million in COVID-19 support for Wisconsinites. (October 5)
Governor Evers announced an additional $30 million in CARES Act funding for early care and education providers. (September 3)
Governor Evers announced nearly 12,000 Wisconsin farmers received a total of $41.6 million through the Wisconsin Farm Support Program. (July 27)
Business Support & Resources:
Governor Evers announced the Wisconsin Tomorrow Small Business Recovery Grant program, which will award up to $420 million to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. (April 22)
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation allocated more than $46 million to approximately 9,300 small businesses across the state. (April 6)
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation awarded small businesses an additional $45 million. (December 3)
Governor Evers announced an additional $70 million in grants to support small businesses throughout Wisconsin. (November 20)
Governor Evers announced more than $100 million in investments aimed at providing additional economic stabilization for small businesses and communities. (October 6)
GovernorEvers announced the launch of the Tourism Relief to Accelerate Vitality & Economic Lift stimulus grant program, which would provide $8 million to the tourism industry. (September 14)
Governor Evers announced a $5 million COVID-19 Cultural Organization Grant program aimed at assisting cultural organizations economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (September 3)
SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS
Reopening:
Governor Evers announced that all resident 16 years of age or older are eligible to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. (April 5)
Governor Evers and the Department of Health Services announced that individuals 16 years of age or older who have certain pre-existing medical conditions would be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on March 22. (March 16)
Beginning March 29, Wisconsin will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to at least 2 million more people, including anyone 16 or older with common pre-existing medical conditions. (March 11)
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services released a map to help residents identify COVID-19 vaccination facilities. (February 26)
Beginning March 1, teachers, individuals on long-term Medicaid programs, public-facing essential workers, non-frontline health care personnel, and people in mental health care institutions or correctional facilities would be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (February 25)
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced threeadditional community-based vaccination clinics would open in La Crosse County, Racine County, and Marathon County,as well as one clinic that would be split between Douglas County and Barron County. (February 23)
Governor Evers signed a bill that would allow pharmacy technicians and students to administer COVID-19 vaccines under certain conditions. (February 20)
The Wisconsin Department of Health announced that the first Rock County community-based vaccination clinic would open February 16. (February 8)
Governor Evers announced that residents age 65 and older would be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. (January 25)
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced that vaccine doses would arrive at assisted living facilities on January 25, marking the beginning of the end of vaccinations for Priority Group 1A. (January 7)
Governor Evers announced the opening of Bamlanivimab Infusion Clinic on December 22. The facility will have the capacity to treat 84 COVID-19 patients a week. (December 21)
Wisconsin received 10,000 initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. (December 15)
Governor Evers declared a new public health emergency and reissued the state’s face covering order. (November 23)
Governor Evers issued an executive orderthat advised Wisconsinites to stay at home as much as possible, and to take hygienic precautions such as extra hand washing and wearing a face covering. (November 10)
Governor Evers announced that public gatherings would be limited to no more than 25 percent of a room or building’s total occupancy. (October 6)
Governor Evers issued an executive order requiring individuals to wear face coverings when indoors and not in a private residence. (July 30)
SCHOOL PLANNING
K-12:
Wisconsin’s education department “expects schools to reopen in the fall” and plans to release reopening guidelines on June 22. (June 15)
State Higher Education:
A list of Wisconsin universities and colleges that planned to reopen in the fall can be found here.
Marquette University, Beloit College, and Lawrence University announced they would require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend in person classes. (June 7)
Governor Evers announced $32 million to support COVID-19 testing on University of Wisconsin System campuses. (August 6)
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