NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS DECLARATION
Nonessential Business Declaration
On March 24, 2020, Governor Evers issued the “Safer at Home” (link to order) Order closing all Nonessential Wisconsin businesses until further notice.
While businesses defined in the Governor’s Order as Essential Businesses and Operations are encouraged to remain open, Nonessential for-profit and non-profit businesses in Wisconsin have been instructed to cease all activities, except for minimal basic operations (e.g., maintaining inventory, preserving the business’s physical plant and equipment, processing payroll and employee benefits, etc.).
Businesses, including home-based businesses, may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own home or residences (i.e., working from home).
Businesses and operations defined as essential by the Governor’s order shall comply with social distancing requirements.
Businesses fitting the following definitions are allowed to continue operations, according to the Governor’s Order. In the exceptional circumstance that a business is performing essential functions not included in these approved categories, it may request to be designated as essential by submitting this form to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
Healthcare and Public Health Operations includes, but is not limited to: hospitals; medical facilities; clinics; dental offices; pharmacies; public health entities, including those that compile, model, analyze, and communicate public health information; pharmaceutical, pharmacy, medical device and equipment, and biotechnology companies (including operations, research and development, manufacture, and supply chain); organizations collecting blood, platelets, plasma, and other necessary materials; obstetricians, gynecologists, and midwife practices; eye care centers, including those that sell glasses and contact lenses; home health agencies and providers; mental health and substance abuse providers; detoxification and alcohol or drug treatment programs and facilities; other healthcare facilities and suppliers and providers of any related or any ancillary healthcare services; entities that transport and dispose of medical materials and remains; personal care agencies; hospices; allied health providers; acupuncturists; massage therapists; chiropractors; and adult family homes.
Specifically included in Healthcare and Public Health Operations are manufacturers, technicians, logistics, and warehouse operators and distributors of medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical gases, pharmaceuticals, blood and blood products, vaccines, testing materials, laboratory supplies, cleaning, sanitizing disinfecting or sterilization supplies, and tissue and paper towel products.
Healthcare and Public Health Operations also includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals. Nonessential veterinary care should be avoided.
Healthcare and Public Health Operations shall be broadly construed to avoid any impediments to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined. Healthcare and Public Health Operations does not include fitness and exercise gyms, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas, electrolysis providers, tattoo parlors, body art establishments, tanning facilities, and similar facilities.
Human Services Operations shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of human services, broadly defined.
Essential Infrastructure shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts to essential infrastructure, broadly defined.
Essential Governmental Functions means all services provided by the State, tribal, or local governments needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government body and provide and support the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Each government body shall determine its Essential Government Function, if any, and identify employees and contractors necessary to the performance of those functions.
Grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of groceries, canned food, dry goods, frozen foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, poultry, prepared food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). Such establishments shall:
- Close all seating intended for consuming food.
- Cease any self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets,
- Except for grocery stores, prohibit customers from self-dispensing all unpackaged food.
- Abide by Social Distancing Requirements.
This section should not be interpreted to provide an exemption for businesses engaged in the sale of food or beverage ancillary to its primary purpose.
Food and beverage manufacturing, production, processing, and cultivation, including farming, livestock, fishing, baking, and other production agriculture, including cultivation, marketing, production, and distribution of animals and goods for consumption; and businesses that provide food, shelter, and other necessities of life for animals, including animal shelters, rescues, shelters, kennels, and adopting facilities
Restaurants shall close, except as follows:
- Restaurants may remain open for food take-out or delivery service only.
- Alcohol sales must comply with section the requirements for Bars below.
- Customers may enter the above establishments only for the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food or beverage or both.
- No seating may be provided.
- Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either indoors or outdoors.
- Establishments shall meet Social Distancing Requirements between all individuals on the premises to the extent possible.
- Self-service operations of salad bars, beverages stations, and buffets are prohibited.
- Customers are prohibited from self-dispensing any unpackaged food or beverage.
Bars
This includes breweries, brewpubs, wineries, distilleries, and alcohol beverage retailers. Such establishments shall close, except as follows:
- Carryout sales of alcohol beverages and food are allowed, if permitted by state law and municipal ordinance.
- Delivery of alcohol beverages to retail customers is prohibited.
- Wineries holding direct wine shippers’ permits may make deliveries of wine in accordance with their permit.
- Customers may enter the above establishments only for the purpose of ordering, pick up, and paying for food or beverage or both.
- No seating may be provided.
- Food and drink may not be consumed on premises, either indoors or outdoors.
- Establishments shall meet Social Distancing Requirements between all individuals on the premises to the extent possible.
- Self-service operations of salad bars, beverage stations, and buffets are prohibited.
- Customers are prohibited from self-dispensing any unpackaged food or beverage.
Gas stations and auto-supply, auto repair and sales, farm equipment, construction equipment, boat repair, and related facilities and bicycle shops and related facilities
Banks, credit unions, and other depository institutions; licensed financial service providers; personnel necessary to perform essential functions at broker dealers and investment advisor offices
Post offices and other businesses that provide shipping and delivery services, and businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, beverages, goods or services to end users or through commercial channels
Hotels and motels, except that such establishments shall:
- Comply with requirements of Restaurants, Bars and Childcare Settings.
- Close swimming pools, hot tubs, and exercise facilities.
- Prohibit guests from congregating in lobbies or other common areas.