The Green Bay Police Department has received several inquiries of what it means to be essential vs. non-essential business. Patrol Officers and Community Police Officers are investigating complaints about businesses that might be in violation of Governor Ever’s Emergency Order #12 (Safer at Home Order).
The department’s priority is to make contact with the business owners that they receive complaints on and review the Emergency Order with them. Meanwhile, the GBPD is in contact with the city attorney and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC ) for guidance on what businesses are deemed essential vs. non-essential. Based on this information authorities are asking the businesses deemed non- essential to voluntarily close down to comply with the governor’s order.
If any business disagrees with the decision we are asking them to seek clarification through the WEDC at www.wedc.org. The WEDC has a process in place for people to determine if their business is deemed essential. If a business that is deemed non-essential stays open charges may be referred to the Brown County District Attorney’s office.
This order is in effect until 8:00 AM on Friday April 24th, 2020 or until a superseding order is issued. The Green Bay Police Department is asking businesses to comply with the order and not deem their own business “essential” without contacting the WEDC. This is for the safety of everyone in the community.
Below is the latest version of FAQs regarding what is an essential business.
https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/Safer%20at%20Home%20FAQ%203.31.20.pdf
