Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) has issued a new public health order, Emergency Order #16, effective May 5, 2021. The new order includes additional exceptions to the face covering requirements and increases to the capacity limits for indoor gatherings and activities.
Face Coverings
- Face coverings are not required when playing a wind instrument that has a fabric or other cover, as long as individuals are spaced six feet apart.
Gatherings
- Indoor gatherings where food or drinks are available are limited to 350 individuals.
- Indoor gatherings where food or drinks are not available are limited to 500 individuals.
- These capacity limits do not include employees.
- Individuals who are not members of the same household still must maintain six feet physical distancing when indoors or outdoors, except when in transit (e.g. walking in a hallway).
Businesses
- Indoor capacity is increased to 75% of approved capacity levels.
- This increased capacity applies to all organizations, including retail stores, salons, spas, gyms, fitness centers, and places of amusement and activity.
Stores that Sell Food or Groceries, Restaurants, and Taverns
- Indoor seating capacity is increased to 75% of approved seating capacity levels.
The other requirements from previous PHMDC emergency orders remain in place. You can find Lake Effect’s summaries of the previous orders here.
Lake Effect is here to answer your questions about how local and state public health orders apply to employers. We continue to monitor important legal and HR developments, as well as COVID-related updates from federal, state, and local authorities. Please keep watching our blogs and emails for these important updates, as well as discussions of how compliance meets culture. To dive into these issues, contact us at info@le-hrlaw.com or 1-844-333-5253.
