Milwaukee Health Department offers guidance regarding travel, mass gatherings

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) is issuing guidance regarding travel and mass gatherings to help limit the spread of the virus locally.

The MHD is strongly recommending that organizations limit all non-essential gatherings over 250 people to help slow the spread of disease within and between local communities. Mass gatherings and large community events bring people from multiple jurisdictions into close contact with each other, which has the potential to increase COVID-19 transmission. At this time there is no recommendation to close schools, businesses or other daily operations.

When discussing and considering mass gatherings, organizers should consider the following:

The MHD and DHS also recommend against all non-essential travel to any U.S. state where the CDC deems there is “sustained community transmission” of COVID-19. As of March 12, 2020 (3:11 pm), the CDC has determined sustained community transmission is occurring in California, New York, and Washington. As the situation changes, travelers should refer to the list of “States Reporting Cases of COVID-19 to CDC” on the “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S.” webpage.

For all travelers returning to Wisconsin from U.S. states where the CDC has determined that community transmission is sustained, MHD and DHS recommends that individuals self-quarantine at home for 14 calendar days and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever and cough). The DHS COVID-19 webpage provides instructions on how to self-quarantine and self-monitor for symptoms.

Currently the CDC, MHD, and DHS recommend the following with respect to international travel:

The Milwaukee Health Department is recommending guidelines for individuals, businesses, and organizations to follow, as preventative measures.  They are: