APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The City of Appleton and Outagamie County are lifting their Safer at Home orders and issuing guidance to the community.
“It is deeply frustrating and disappointing that the legislature and Governor will not work together, or even attempt to do so, in the interest of statewide health and clarity,” Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford says in a news release, “The people of Appleton are frustrated and confused as a result of this inaction, and we are not going to wait for the State to act if they aren’t going to anyway.”
“The Supreme Court’s ruling did not end the pandemic,” Appleton health officer Kurt Eggebrecht said. “Along with our partners we continue to monitor and respond to this public health emergency.”
While businesses in Appleton may reopen, they are urged to follow guidelines from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
“After conferring with the governor, it became clear that the legislature has no plans for a staged and sensible reopening of our public spaces,” Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said.
Mary Dorn, Deputy Health & Human Service Director, put the focus on health and safety.
“As a public Health official, it’s my responsibility to protect the health of Outagamie County residents. The lack of clear and consistent guidance from the state required us to take quick action and extend the safer at home order,’ she explained.
Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Becky Bartoszek, welcomed the recommendations.
“We are excited to provide greater consistency and predictability for the employers and employees of the Fox Cities,” she said, “We have all public health agencies largely on the same page. This is another example of how the Fox Cities are stronger together.”
Dorn stressed that despite shifting public opinion, the COVID-19 virus continues to be a primary concern.
“We have reviewed our local data, including the low positive-test result rates from our tri-county testing effort this week and we’ve consulted with our local partners—including the chamber of commerce and law enforcement and concluded that the recommendations we are issuing today are in the best interest of the community,” she said.
City services and programming will not resume until officials are sure they can be done safely.
