COVID-19 Restrictions Relaxed In 18 Milwaukee Suburbs

WAUWATOSA, WI — More people are now allowed in suburban Milwaukee community bars, restaurants and local businesses after health officials relaxed coronavirus-related restrictions Thursday.

In a news release issued Thursday afternoon, the health departments of 18 Milwaukee County municipalities transitioned their respective cities and villages to Phase C of their public health guidelines. The announcement does not include the city of Milwaukee.

Under the latest guidelines, public gatherings are now allowed to have up to 50 people. Examples of large events and gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies.

Retail stores, spas, salons and fitness centers are now allowed to open up at 50 percent capacity. Restaurants and bars are now allowed to open to 75 percent capacity, under the city's latest health phase.

"The threat of COVID-19 is still very much alive in Wauwatosa, and throughout Southeast Wisconsin. It is up to each of us to play our part in protecting ourselves, our families, our customers, and our community moving forward. It is strongly recommended that individuals continue to follow physical distancing and protective measures," Wauwatosa officials said.

As of June 12, there were 9,174 total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county. West Allis has the most among the suburbs with 344, followed by Franklin, 242, and Wauwatosa, which has 200.

"This is a phase we're likely going to be in for a long time. It's probably going to carry us for the next several weeks or a couple of months as we continue to look at that data and try to suppress COVID 19 in our communities," said Darren Rausch of the Greenfield Health Department in a WISN report Friday.

Oak Creek, 185, Greenfield, 172, South Milwaukee, 131, and Cudahy, 116, are the remaining communities with more than 100.