MADISON, Wis. -- Indoor bar service will no longer be permitted in Madison and the rest of Dane County beginning Thursday. That's just one of the COVID-19 related changes in a new order issued by Public Health Madison & Dane County Wednesday.
Bars will still be allowed to offer outdoor seating, with physical distancing. They may also still provide takeout.
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“For the past week, Dane County has seen a sustained, high number of cases. After consultation with our contact tracing team, gatherings and visits to bars and restaurants continue to be implicated in interviews with cases,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County. “We are acting now to immediately curb this increase in cases and protect the health and safety of our community.”
Restaurants will also be affected by the new order. Their capacity is being reduced to 25 percent of approved seating capacity levels.
Outdoor gatherings are permitted, as long as they're in groups of 25 or smaller. Indoor gatherings must limit to 10 people.
The news comes on the same day Milwaukee moves into Phase 4 of its reopening plan, which will see bars and restaurants increasing to 50 percent capacity Wednesday.
Get more information about the new Madison order on Public Health Madison & Dane County's website.