Evers Signs Executive Order Advising Wisconsinites to Stay Home

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers tonight delivered a primetime address, calling for unity and working together in responding to the pandemic.

The governor’s address comes as Wisconsin had yet another record-breaking day in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Today Wisconsin reported more than 7,000 new cases, 66 lives lost, and 291 people hospitalized due to COVID-19.

During his address, Gov. Evers pointed to projections from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The IHME’s projections indicates that based on current data, approximately 5,000 Wisconsinites could die from the coronavirus by January 1, 2021, if no further actions are taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus. That would mean an additional more than 2,500 Wisconsinites who would not make it to New Year’s Day.

As the coronavirus continues to surge across the state, Gov. Evers announced Executive Order #94, which includes new measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Executive Order #94 advises Wisconsinites to stay home, urges precautions Wisconsinites should take to stay safe if they have to leave their home, and encourages businesses to take additional steps to protect workers, customers, and the surrounding community.

Gov. Evers also announced in the coming days he will be introducing new coronavirus response legislation to provide more support for Wisconsinites. He also once again called on Congress to pass legislation providing additional resources to states across the country.

"Each day this virus goes unchecked is a setback for our economic recovery," Evers said.

He added the bars, restaurants, small businesses, families and farmers will continue to suffer if the state doesn't take action right now.

"Our economy cannot bounce back until we contain this virus," Evers said.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to consider reinstating Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' coronavirus restrictions limiting the size of public gatherings, deferring to a lower court to decide.

The capacity limits order was issued Oct. 6 by Andrea Palm, secretary of the state Department of Health Services, in the face of surging coronavirus cases in Wisconsin. Evers said he was making the move to curb the spread of the virus as it spikes in Wisconsin.

On Friday, Evers released a statement regarding the Third District Court of Appeals' decision to order a temporary injunction on Emergency Order #3, limiting public gatherings to 25 percent of a building or room's capacity, which was set to expire.

"Today's decision comes as we reported more than 6,000 new cases—the most ever in a single day. This is another blow to our state's response to this pandemic and our efforts to keep Wisconsinites safe. We will continue challenging this decision, but the bottom line is that we can't wait for the courts to figure this out—we need Wisconsinites to stay home and mask up, and it has to start today. It's the only way we will get this virus under control and ensure our economy can recover."

Evers also declared a public heath emergency in September and extended a statewide mask mandate until Nov. 21. The order, which was in effect since August, was set to expire in September. Under the original mask order, Wisconsin residents age 5 and older are required to wear a face mask when they are indoors or in an enclosed space, other than at a private residence, with anyone outside their family or living unit.

Recordings of the governor's address can be viewed on his YouTube and Facebook accounts.