Gov. Evers signals it could be another month before 'Safer at Home' order lifted

MADISON— Gov. Tony Evers signaled Tuesday, April 14 that it may be another month before he starts relaxing social distancing mandates.

The governor's stay-at-home and school closure orders are set to expire on April 24. Evers told KSTP-TV that lifting the mandates won't be “like flipping a switch.” He said he wants to be sure more coronavirus testing is available, there's better tracking of sick people and there's enough personal protective gear for health care workers before he'll consider allowing businesses to open and easing social distancing restrictions.

He added that it's unlikely schools will re-open but he hasn't made a final decision yet.

“I would fully expect another couple of weeks, a month, before we are in a position to actually say we’re ahead of the curve here, and after that we can start thinking about how we can relax things,” Evers told the television station.

The virus had killed 170 people in Wisconsin and infected more than 3,500 as of Tuesday.