2 Wisconsin Communities Back Away From Own 'Safer At Home' Orders

CUDAHY, WI — At least two communities in Wisconsin have publicly withdrawn their own Safer At Home orders, leaving social distancing guidelines in the hands of the public, moving forward.

On Thursday, Kenosha County became the first municipality in Wisconsin to back away from a local Safer At Home order. On Friday afternoon, Cudahy became the latest municipality to back away from the order, citing legal complications.

The moves come as municipalities in Wisconsin grapple over what to do after the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the statewide Safer At Home order, which set limits on everything from schools, businesses, parks, and social distancing. Now, Wisconsin is a patchwork of local Safer At Home orders and less-regulated areas.

As of Friday, Kenosha County has seen 780 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 17 deaths. Cudahy has seen a total of 61 confirmed cases as of Friday.

"The city of Cudahy after consulting with legal counsel and conferring with our local health officer have made a decision to withdraw their safer at home order. The City will be reaching out to local businesses and providing them with guidelines for a safe opening of their establishments," according to an official statement issued by Cudahy officials on Friday.

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Hours after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' Safer At Home order, several Milwaukee County communities responded by issuing local orders. The order covers everything from child care settings, governmental buildings, businesses, social distancing, health care operations, grocery stores and restaurants. You can read the full order here.

According to the Milwaukee County Health Department, the local order remains in effect through May 21. Cudahy is the first Milwaukee County municipality to break from the local order.

Similarly, Kenosha cited legal reasons for dispatching with its own Safer At Home order.

"Tonight, with varying guidance from the Wisconsin Counties Association and more time to review best practices moving forward, together we’ve determined that we will withdraw our order and instead view Safer-at Home as a series of best practices, rather than requirements," Kenosha County Corporation Counsel Joseph Cardamone said in a statement.

Related Reading

• Wisconsin Coronavirus Tracker
• Wearing Masks During Coronavirus: What The Wisconsin DHS Says
• Coronavirus: Some Wisconsin Businesses Can Reopen Under New Order

• What's going on in Wisconsin? Find Out Here
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