Manitowoc County Health Officer, Mary Halada, has announced that the Manitowoc County Health Order #3 regarding campground closures shall be rescinded effective immediately to reflect the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Emergency Order #28, Safer at Home order. In the Governor’s Safer at Home FAQs updated on April 16th, campgrounds are listed as an essential business.
Although campgrounds will be allowed to open for camping under the Governor’s updated Safer at Home order, campers and campgrounds must follow the social distancing rules as outlined in the order. This means that campers may not congregate in common areas and campsites are limited to individuals who normally live together as part of a single household or living unit. Additionally, campgrounds must adhere to the Governor’s orders regarding bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and pharmacies, ensure social distancing in lobbies, and are highly encouraged to frequently clean and sanitize bathrooms and other common areas.
Travis Waack of the Manitowoc County Emergency Services Department cautions that although campgrounds can open under the Governor’s updated order, “there remains a risk that individuals may travel into the area from locations with a much higher infection rate and spread infection in the campgrounds as well as in local grocery stores and gas stations, which increases the potential for localized spikes in cases that could tax our local healthcare system on the Lakeshore. Individuals are encouraged to continue staying home and only go out for essential reasons, such as going to essential jobs or shopping for essential supplies and medications, until the end of the Governor’s order on May 26th.”
For more information, please read the full Public Health Order below.
Mary Halada, Manitowoc County Health Officer announces that the Manitowoc County Health Order #3 regarding campground closures shall be rescinded effective immediately to reflect the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Emergency Order #28, Safer at Home order as clarified in the Governor’s Safer at Home FAQs updated 4/16/2020 (the “Governor’s FAQs”), which lists campgrounds as an essential business. According to the Governor’s FAQs, campgrounds will be allowed to open as long as they follow restriction set forth in Section 13 of those FAQs. The industry-specific requirements include:
1. Comply with the requirements of Sections 13.b (selling groceries and medicine), 13.d (restaurant operations), and 13.e (bar operation) of the Governor’s FAQs.1. Comply with the requirements of Sections 13.b (selling groceries and medicine), 13.d (restaurant operations), and 13.e (bar operation) of the Governor’s FAQs.
2. All swimming pools, hot tubs, and exercise facilities must be closed.
3. Guests must be prohibited from congregating in lobbies or other common areas, including providing adequate space to adhere to social distancing requirements while queuing for front desk services.
4. Each campground site must be limited to members of a single household or living unit
Additionally, to limit the spread of COVID-19 the following is recommended:
1. Increase cleaning frequency of toilet facilities, laundry facilities and shower buildings. This order will remain in effect as long as the Wisconsin Department of Health Service Safer at Home order #28 is in effect.
