By City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Governor Tony Evers recently directed the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to extend the Safer at Home order through May 26 at 8 a.m., or until a succeeding order is implemented.

“Safer at Home has saved lives, protected health care workers and critical employees, and prevented hospitals from being overrun,” the Wood County DHS said in a release.

With the extension a few changes were made, allowing more businesses to open while making operations safer for staff and customers.

The Wood County DHS clarifies the following changes:

Public libraries may now provide curb-side pick-up of books and other library materials.

Golf courses may open again, with restrictions including scheduling and paying for tee times online or by phone only. Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed.

Non-essential businesses will now be able to do more: deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up.

Arts and craft stores may offer expanded curb-side pick-up of materials necessary to make face masks or other personal protective equipment.

 Aesthetic or optional exterior lawn care or construction is now allowed.

“On Monday, April 20, Governor Evers announced the Badger Bounce Back, which is Wisconsin’s plan to decrease COVID-19 cases and deaths and get Wisconsinites back to work,” the release said. “This makes a phased reopening of businesses possible and gets people back to work in the safest way possible.

“Before moving into the Badger Bounce Back phases, there needs to be increased lab capacity and testing, increased contact tracing, support for isolation and quarantine, increased health care capacity, and increased availability of personal protective equipment.

“Decisions to move from phase to phase are guided by data, which allows Wisconsin to reopen while preventing a second wave of COVID-19.”