Gov. Evers To Extend Mask Mandate Into 2021

WISCONSIN — As the Wisconsin Supreme Court is hearing a case over the legality of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers' mask mandate, Evers announced an extension of the mandate during his daily address on Wednesday. The original face mask mandate was set to expire Saturday.

“Our current public health emergency expires this Saturday, Nov. 21,” Evers said in a DHS briefing Wednesday, “But it’s clear based on where we’re headed we can not afford to stop or have a gap in some of the only mitigation efforts we have in place, so today I’m announcing I’ll be declaring a new state of emergency this week and extending our public health emergency until January of next year.”

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported at least 7,989 new positive coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to date to at least 331,837. Another 52 Wisconsin residents have died, bringing the death toll to at least 2,793.

There are currently 22 patients in the Alternate Care Facility (ACF) at Wisconsin State Fair Park as of Wednesday. The facility currently has 530 patient spaces, of which 296 include in-line oxygen care in a non-traditional, temporary environment.

Evers declared a public heath emergency in September and extended a statewide mask mandate until Nov. 21. 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.

State officials said face masks also are strongly recommended if a person is outdoors where maintaining physical distancing is not possible.

The order also spells out exceptions to the requirement, listing activities such as when someone is eating, drinking or swimming. People with health conditions or disabilities that would preclude the wearing of a face mask safely are also exempt from the requirement.