Dodge County Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Safe Practices

For Immediate Release: 5/14/2020
Contact: Abby Sauer, Health Officer 920-386-3670 asauer@co.dodge.wi.us

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling on May 13, 2020, in Wisconsin Legislature v. Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm, Case No. 2020AP765-OP invalidated the Wisconsin Department of Health’s Emergency Order #28, the Safer at Home Order. Dodge County Public Health urges residents and businesses to respond appropriately and responsibly with the lifting of these restrictions.

In collaboration with Dodge County Board Chairman Russ Kottke, Dodge County Administrator Jim Mielke, Corporation Counsel Kimberly Nass, Human Services and Health Director Becky Bell, and Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, the Dodge County Public Health Officer, Abby Sauer, will not be issuing local orders at this time. Instead, the community is being asked to voluntarily take measures to prevent, suppress, and control the spread of COVID-19. Dodge County Public Health recognizes that current conditions may not warrant the issuance of an order. Consistent with our mission, Dodge County Public Health will continue to monitor public health conditions, provide resources to the community and businesses and will take steps, as appropriate, should conditions worsen.

In order to maintain stability, Public Health ask that Dodge County residents voluntarily comply with the following Public Health Guidance:

• Maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and others;
• Refrain from attending crowded events and avoid mass gatherings;
• Wash your hands frequently;
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces;
• Wear cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• Urine Drug Test

All Dodge County businesses are asked to voluntarily comply with the following guidance:

• Plan for and support social distancing at your business;
• Identify the occupational risk of COVID-19 exposure and implement controls to reduce the risk;
• Increase cleaning and disinfection of surfaces;
• Increase monitoring of employee health and hygiene;

As Dodge County businesses look to reopen, Dodge County Public Health strongly recommends following the industry-specific reopening guidelines created by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; guidelines can be found at https://wedc.org/reopen-guidelines/ and on the Dodge County website under COVID-19 information for Businesses –www.co.dodge.wi.gov

“We need the public’s help to prevent further spread of this virus, just because the Stay at Home order is lifted, does not mean that the spread of COVID-19 is no longer a concern” states Public Health Officer Abby Sauer, “We trust people will act reasonably and safely, to follow our guidance and continue safe practices when in the public.”

The community is encouraged to visit the Dodge County website for latest guidance and resources: www.co.dodge.wi.gov

For general questions, the public may call the Dodge County Public Health COVID-19 Hotline: 920-386-4304.

Download the press release here