Dear WH&LA Members,
Citing the surging number of COVID-19 cases across Wisconsin, Department of Health Services Secretary Dr. Andrea Palm today issued Executive Order #3 limiting capacity of indoor gatherings, including at restaurants and bars, to 25% occupancy statewide. This order takes effect on October 8, 2020 and may remain in place until November 6, 2020.
Under the order:
Public gathering means an indoor event, convening, or collection of individuals, whether planned or spontaneous, that is open to the public and brings together people who are not part of the same household in a single room.
i. Places that are open to the public include, but are not limited to:
- Rooms within a business location, store, or facility that allow members of the public to enter.
- Ticketed events where tickets are available for free or for purchase by any individual or by any individual within a specific class of people.
ii. Places that are not open to the public, and therefore are not part of the definition of a public gathering and are not limited by this order, include, but are not limited to:
- Office spaces, manufacturing plant, and other facilities that are accessible only by employees or other authorized personnel.
- Invitation-only events that exclude uninvited guests.
- Private residences. Except, a residence is considered open to the public during an event that allows entrance to any individual; such public gatherings are limited to 10 people.
Clearly there are questions around how these orders will affect lodging facilities, and our team is currently reaching out to the Department of Health Services to get more information. Some FAQs, including information on weddings, has been published by the state. As always, we will update you as we learn more about how this order will be implemented.
Kind regards,
Bill Elliott, CAE
WH&LA President & CEO
