The City of Racine unveiled a plan to reopen its economy, slated to go into effect on May 26.
The standards, developed by city officials, outlines a strategy for reopening Racine's economy, after the city's safer-at-home order expires on May 26.
"As we move towards reopening businesses and resuming activities within our communities, public health professionals and community leaders must make informed but difficult decisions on how and when to modify existing State Orders," said Public Health Administrator Dottie-Kay Bowersox. "Weighing the economic cost of prolonged mitigation measures against a second wave of the virus. Until effective treatment or a widely-distributed vaccine becomes available, the threat of continued expansion of the viral disease is very real."
The Public Health Reopening Order goes into effect at 8 a.m. May 26 and will be reevaluated on June 30.
The order outlined the reopening of several types of businesses and facilities.
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Some of those outlined included:
- Long-term care facilities: Open, following public health requirements/WEDC reopening guidelines, no outside visitors
- K-12 schools: Remain closed
- Post-secondary education institutions: Open for facilitating distance learning
- Child care centers, summer programs: Open following WEDC reopening guidelines, no interaction between groups/classrooms
- Commercial offices: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Government offices: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Restaurants, bars, food trucks: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines, 50% indoor capacity if social distancing requirements can be met, outdoor seating allowed, no self-service, indoor play areas closed
- Retail establishments: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Indoor recreational facilities (gyms, bowling alleys, pool halls, etc.): Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines, Limited to 10 people, if social distancing can be maintained
- Personal care establishments (barbers, salons, tattoo parlors, etc.): Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Lodging: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Cleaning services: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Home remodeling/construction: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Faith-based services, places of worship: Open based on square footage requirements, follow WEDC reopening guidelines
- Manufacturing, wholesale trade and warehousing: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Agriculture, aquaculture and community gardens: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Transportation: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- High-risk recreational activities (i.e. sports, dog parks, etc.): Closed
- Outdoor playgrounds, skateboard parks: Closed
- Golf courses, yacht clubs and country clubs: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Swimming pool: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines, Limited to 10 people
- Indoor places of art and culture (movies, museum): Open based on square footage of facility, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines
- Outdoor places of amusement, activity (i.e. zoos and farmer markets): Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines, up to 100 people
- Public beaches and parks: Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines, parking lots and restaurants remain closed
- Indoor and outdoor mass gatherings in public venues: Closed
- Indoor and outdoor mass gatherings in private venues (weddings, funerals, etc.): Open, follow public health requirements, WEDC reopening guidelines, Limted to 25 people
- Auction, rummage and estate sales: closed
“Today, our Public Health Administrator issued new Public Health orders which allow a reopening of the economy to begin in the City of Racine. However, I want to be crystal clear on this: this is not a green light to slack off. Racine's coronavirus cases continue to increase at an alarming rate. Health care systems have indicated that they are concerned about their hospital capacity," said Racine Mayor Cory Mason. "Racine residents are falling gravely ill from this virus, and some in our community are mourning the loss of loved ones. Our residents and our local businesses must continue to take all possible precautions to protect our community from this virus."
To read the entire order, as well as additional guidelines, click here.