Mayor says there are still too many COVID-19 cases concentrated in Milwaukee to lift order

Mayor says there are still too many COVID-19 cases concentrated in Milwaukee to lift order

MILWAUKEE -- Officials with the suburban Milwaukee health departments on Tuesday, May 19 announced “all remaining businesses in the 18 suburban municipalities” may reopen Friday, May 22 if they choose to — moving to the next phase of their reopening plans; however, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said there are still too many COVID-19 cases concentrated in the City of Milwaukee to lift the city's order issued on March 25.Meanwhile, the owners of the 27 businesses inside the Sherman Phoenix, which rose from the ashes of the Sherman Park unrest in August 2016, continued working on innovative ways to welcome customers back safely when the city's order is lifted.

'We can do things safely:' Business takes steps to reopen under City of Milwaukee health order

'We can do things safely:' Business takes steps to reopen under City of Milwaukee health order

MILWAUKEE -- Municipalities across Wisconsin are trying to figure out the next legal steps in public health following the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision to end "Safer at Home."The City of Milwaukee's new health order -- Moving Milwaukee Forward -- allows salons, spas, tattoo parlors and tanning facilities to open with social distancing measures in place.

Milwaukee mayor announces business restart program to get employers 'back on their feet'

Milwaukee mayor announces business restart program to get employers 'back on their feet'

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced Friday, May 15 that the city will launch the "Milwaukee Business Restart Program."  The effort will use federal relief funds to assist established Milwaukee businesses as they recover from coronavirus-related setbacks.“From the outset, we’ve been fully aware that we are in the midst of more than a public health crisis; we face an enormous economic crisis, affecting workers and business owners,” Barrett said. “Our Business Restart program aims to help small Milwaukee employers get back on their feet as promptly as possible.”Working collaboratively with the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, the city government will provide grants to businesses so that they can restock perishable inventory, purchase personal protective equipment and accommodate social distancing guidance.

Milwaukee Health Department releases new order in response to 'Safer at Home' ruling

Milwaukee Health Department releases new order in response to 'Safer at Home' ruling

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Health Department on Thursday, May 14 released a new order in response to the Wisconsin Supreme Court's ruling which overturned the statewide "Safer at Home" order on Wednesday.Called "Moving Milwaukee Forward," most of the regulations for restaurants and bars stay the same, but salons can now open -- mimicking plans announced for the 18 Milwaukee County suburbs.The city order, along with the suburban Milwaukee County order, covers all of Milwaukee County's 19 municipalities and its 11 respective health departments.Officials at both the city and county level say it is important to follow similar orders and guidelines for businesses to reopen, as the pandemic still poses a great threat to public health.

Suburban Milwaukee County 'Safer at Home' orders prohibit opening of bars, restaurants

Suburban Milwaukee County 'Safer at Home' orders prohibit opening of bars, restaurants

MILWAUKEE -- The 18 municipalities in suburban Milwaukee County and their 10 public health officials came together to sign an order that provides guidelines on how local businesses can move forward after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the state's coronavirus stay-at-home order Wednesday, May 13, ruling that Governor Tony Evers' administration overstepped its authority when the order was extended for another month without consulting legislators.The suburban Milwaukee County order runs through May 21.The SCOWIS 4-3 ruling Wednesday essentially reopened the state -- lifting caps on the size of gatherings, allowing people to travel as they please and allowing shuttered businesses to reopen, including bars and restaurants, however, local governments can still impose their own health restrictions.Some Milwaukee area business owners said Thursday they were scrambling to make sense of it all.