CITY OF MILWAUKEE — In a revised version of its COVID-19 order, the City of Milwaukee is lowering the capacity limits for bars and restaurants and requiring more stringent protocols for sports teams, as health officials expect a spike of coronavirus cases over the holidays.
The new version, Order #4.3, allows a 50 percent capacity limit at bars and restaurants that have had their safety plans approved by the city. The previous version allowed 100 percent capacity at establishments with approved safety plans.
A spokesperson for the City of Milwaukee tells TMJ4 News that staff are not included in that 50 percent capacity limit.
Bars and restaurants without a safety plan approved by the city must continue with a 25 percent capacity required in the previous version of the order.
School and club sports teams will only be allowed to play if their safety plan approved by the city requires routine COVID-19 testing. Sports activities include practices, intra-squad or outside competition. The previous version of the order did not require intra-squad activities to have an approved safety plan.
Order #4.3 goes into effect Dec. 3, 2020. The order will revert back to Order #4.2 - with the higher capacity limits and less stringent requirements for sports teams - come Jan. 15, 2021.
Health officials say the stricter requirements are necessary amid an expected spike in coronavirus cases during and after the holidays.
“All changes in the public health order in Milwaukee are the result of a careful review of the available data, application of public health science, and analysis of situations where COVID-19 can be transmitted,” Acting Health Commissioner Marlaina Jackson said in a statement that accompanied the revised order.
“The Health Department is particularly aware of the alarmingly high rates of infection in Milwaukee along with seasonal activities that increase indoor contact and potential for COVID-19 infections," according to Jackson.
The health department says it will update the order online. Click here to read Order #4.2