It's official.

Governor Tony Evers has issued the "Safer at Home" order, effective at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25 until 8:00 AM on Friday, April 24. Please note exceptions specific to the food and beverage industry below. 

View the full order here. Within the order the following call-outs pertain specifically to food and beverage production, distribution, grocery and restaurants.

Starting on page 9, see Essential Businesses and Operations: 

b. Stores that sell groceries will remain open with caveats.

c. Food and beverage production, transport, and agriculture. Food and beverage manufacturing, production, processing, transportation, and cultivation; farming, livestock, fishing, baking, and other production agriculture, including cultivation, marketing, production, and distribution of animals and goods for consumption; businesses that provide food, shelter, and other necessities of life for animals, including animal shelters, boarding, rescues, kennels, and adopting facilities; farm and agriculture equipment, supplies, and repair services.

d. Restaurants shall close, with exceptions.

e. Bars. This includes breweries, brewpubs, wineries, distilleries, and alcohol beverage retailers, shall close with exceptions.

v. Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries. Manufacturing companies, distributors, and supply chain companies producing and supplying essential products and services in and for industries such as pharmaceutical, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, chemicals and sanitation, waste pickup and disposal, agriculture, food and beverage, transportation, energy, steel and steel products, petroleum and fuel, mining, construction, national defense, communications, and products used by other Essential Governmental Functions and Essential Businesses and Operations.

This list of essential businesses allowed to continue operating is consistent with what other states have done. Also allowed to continue operating is any business identified in a memo from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) detailing Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response.

Individual companies judge whether they meet the definition of 'essential' as detailed in the order. If a company concludes that it meets the definition, it can continue operating (no need to request permission or receive a designation from the State of Wisconsin or WEDC).  If a company is unsure if it meets the definition or wishes to request an exception, it should  consult the WEDC website.