Wisconsin Gov. Evers Extends Statewide Mask Mandate

MADISON, WI — Gov. Tony Evers declared a public heath emergency on Tuesday. He also announced he is extending a statewide mask mandate until Nov. 21. The order, which was in effect since August, was set to expire Monday.

"Face coverings are required to be worn whenever you are indoors or in an enclosed space, other than a private residence, and other people are present in the same room or space," Evers' website said.

Wisconsin's positive case percentage has climbed steadily ever since early June — about three weeks after the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Evers' Safer At Home order, which restricted public movement and ordered businesses closed. Last week, for the first time since the pandemic hit, Wisconsin spiked to over 2,000 positive daily coronavirus cases. As of Monday, the number of new Wisconsin cases was at 1, 271.

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.

A lawsuit was filed challenging Evers' state mask mandate in late July. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed the lawsuit in Polk County Circuit Court on behalf of three Wisconsin residents against Evers for "violating state law by declaring a second public health emergency on July 30," according to a press release.

Rick Esenberg, the institute's president and general counsel, said in a news release, "This lawsuit is not about whether masks are good or bad, or whether Wisconsin ought to do more, or less, to address COVID-19. It isn't even about whether the state should have a mask mandate. This lawsuit is about our system of government and the rule of law. Governor Evers cannot seize these time-limited emergency powers more than once without legislative approval."