Effective 8 a.m. Thursday, March 19, Governor Tony Evers has directed the Department of Health Services to restrict the size of all Wisconsin child care settings.
All licensed and certified child care providers caring for any age or ages of children up to 18 years of age may not operate with more than 10 staff present at a time and may not operate with more than 50 children present at a time. The Emergency Order defines “staff” as any paid or unpaid adult rendering services or providing support to the function of a child care setting.
The order will remain in effect for the duration of the public health emergency declared by Executive Order #72, or until a superseding order is issued.
“Child care is an essential service for many of the folks working on the front lines to provide healthcare and vital services to our communities during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Gov. Evers. “This is another step forward to ensure that service continues, while protecting our child care providers who are going above and beyond their regular duties to support our families, communities, and state.”
Providers are being asked to prioritize families of healthcare and essential service providers, using good faith to determine who those families are. Those using care who can keep their children at home are being asked to do so. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and DHS have updated guidance for providers to implement this emergency order, available here.
CLICK HERE TO READ EMERGENCY ORDER #6
People should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:
- Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house);
- Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water;
- Covering coughs and sneezes;
- Avoiding touching your face; and
- Staying home when sick.
