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Documenting Wisconsin's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Wisconsin coronavirus coverage
Debate in Wisconsin
Wisconsin government responses
School reopenings in Wisconsin
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Wisconsin's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

June 2021

  • June 30: On Tuesday, June 29, Gov. Tony Evers (D) vetoed a bill that would have ended Wisconsin’s participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs.
  • June 22: On Tuesday, June 22, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced a new COVID-19 testing initiative for K-12 public, private, and charter schools. The voluntary initiative allows schools to choose from a menu of testing regimes. Options include primarily testing individuals with symptoms and testing unvaccinated, asymptomatic individuals on a routine basis. Testing services are provided to schools from the state free of charge.
  • June 9: On Tuesday, June 8, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced he was re-launching the “You Stop the Spread” campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The campaign will include television, radio, and billboard ads. The campaign was initially launched in September 2020 to encourage people to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

May 2021

  • May 20: On Wednesday, May 19, Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued new guidance allowing vaccinated individuals to go without masks in state facilities, including the Capitol building, beginning June 1.

April 2021

  • April 26: On Friday, April 23, Gov. Tony Evers (D) vetoed Assembly Bill 23 and Assembly Bill 24. Assembly Bill 23 prohibits officials from mandating COVID-19 vaccines, while Assembly Bill 24prohibits local health officials from closing houses of worship in response to COVID-19 or any COVID-19 variant.
  • April 20: On Tuesday, April 20, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced $175 million for COVID-19 testing in schools. The Department of Health Services and the Department of Public Instruction will use the funds to develop a statewide testing program.
  • April 14: On Wednesday, April 14, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Gov. Tony Evers (D) cannot issue capacity limits on businesses without the legislature’s approval.
  • April 5: Effective Monday, April 5, residents 16 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
  • April 1: On Tuesday, March 30, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that residents 16 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on April 5.

March 2021

  • March 31: On Wednesday, March 31, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Gov. Tony Evers (D) overstepped his authority when he declared several states of emergency since the start of the pandemic without input from the legislature. In the majority opinion, Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote that under the relevant state statute, only a joint resolution from the legislature can extend a state of emergency beyond 60 days. Evers first declared a state of emergency in March 2020. The ruling invalidates the current emergency order, which includes a statewide mask mandate.
  • March 30: On Monday, March 29, Gov. Tony Evers (D) vetoed SB 183, a bill that would have given the legislature more control over the distribution of federal COVID-19 relief funds. Evers vetoed a similar proposal in February.
  • March 23: On Monday, March 22, Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed a bill allowing dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Dentists must first complete eight hours of training on vaccine protocols and recording keeping.
  • March 22: People with underlying health conditions, including those with cancer and diabetes, are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 22.
  • March 17: On Tuesday, March 16, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that people with underlying health conditions, including those with cancer and diabetes, will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 22. Evers also announced that, effective March 16, clergy, judges, prosecutors, and others in public safety are eligible to receive a vaccine.
  • March 15: On Friday, March 12, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that everyone 16 and older would be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine on May 1.

February 2021

  • February 19: On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed a law allowing pharmacy technicians and pharmacy tech students who’ve completed two years of school to administer vaccines.
  • February 8: On Monday, Feb. 8, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced the state was partnering with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare, an international healthcare organization, to open several community vaccination sites. The first will open Feb. 16 in Rock County. Evers did not say when or where subsequent sites will be opened but said the state was planning to open between six and 10 sites.
  • February 5: On Thursday, Feb. 4, the Wisconsin state Assembly voted 52-42 on a resolution to end the statewide mask mandate and coronavirus public health emergency. In response, Gov. Tony Evers (D) immediately issued two new orders reestablishing the public health emergency and mask mandate. All Democrats and seven Republicans voted against the resolution. The Assembly was set to vote on the resolution last week, but Speaker Robin Vos (R) postponed the vote after a memo was released that said repealing the public health emergency could jeopardize federal funding for the state’s food stamps program. To avoid that possibility, Republicans included an amendment that allows Evers to issue public health orders for the purpose of securing federal funding. The Senate planned to vote on adopting the amendment Friday, Feb. 5.

January 2021

  • January 29: On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Wisconsin state Assembly postponed voting on a resolution overturning Gov. Tony Evers’s (D) coronavirus emergency order, including the statewide mask mandate. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) postponed the vote after the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a nonpartisan agency that provides fiscal analysis to legislators, issued a memo that found approving the measure could jeopardize federal funding for the state’s food stamps program. The state Senate passed the resolution 18-13 on Jan. 26. No Democrats voted for the resolution, while two Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.
  • January 28: On Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Wisconsin state Senate voted 18-13 to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’s (D) coronavirus emergency order. The order, which Evers has extended several times throughout the year, is the basis for the statewide mask mandate. The state Assembly was set to vote on the resolution Thursday, Jan. 28. If the Assembly overturns the emergency declaration, Evers would not have the authority to veto the resolution.
  • January 25: Effective Jan. 25, residents age 65 and older are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
  • January 20: On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued two coronavirus executive orders. The first renews the statewide public health emergency related to the pandemic, while the second extends the statewide mask mandate through March 20.

December 2020

  • December 3: On Dec. 3, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced restaurants and small businesses would receive up to $45 million in aid through the We’re All in for Restaurants program. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporations, which administer the program, will use tax records to identify businesses eligible for the grants.

November 2020

  • November 23: On Friday, Nov. 20, Gov. Tony Evers (D) declared a new public health emergency and issued an executive order strengthening the face-covering mandate. Under the new order, anyone five years or older is required to wear a mask while indoors or in an enclosed space when around people outside of their household. The order is set to expire in 60 days.
  • November 19: On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced he would extend the statewide mask mandate into 2021. The mandate was set to expire Nov. 21. Evers did not give an exact date for when the extension would expire.

October 2020

  • October 19: On Monday, Oct. 19, Judge James Babler allowed Gov. Tony Evers’ Oct. 6 order limiting public gatherings in bars and restaurants to go into effect, overturning a court ruling last week that blocked enforcement of the order while the case was being litigated. The Tavern League of Wisconsin, which filed the lawsuit along with two bars, said it would not appeal the decision.
  • October 14: On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Sawyer County Judge John Yackel blocked enforcement of Gov. Tony Evers’s (D) order restricting indoor gatherings while a lawsuit filed by Wisconsin restaurants and bars is litigated. Yackel’s decision requires attorneys for Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm to appear in court on Oct. 19 to argue why the order restricting gatherings should be enforced, pending a conclusion to the lawsuit.
  • October 12: On Monday, Oct. 12, St. Croix County Circuit Judge R. Michael Waterman ruled that Gov. Tony Evers (D) had not exceeded his authority when he issued a mandate requiring face coverings in enclosed spaces.
  • October 7: On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm issued an order limiting indoor gatherings to 25% capacity. Colleges, schools, churches, polling locations, rallies, and outdoor venues are exempt from the order.
  • October 1: On Oct. 1, Gov. Tony Evers (D) and Department of Health Services-designee Andrea Palm issued an order easing licensing requirements for healthcare workers during the state of emergency. The order allows healthcare workers from other states to receive temporary licenses in Wisconsin and makes it easier for workers with lapsed licenses to reapply.

September 2020

  • September 22: Gov. Tony Evers (D) extended the state’s mask requirement and public health emergency through Nov. 21.
  • September 11: On Sept. 10, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, temporarily blocked restrictions on in-person learning at public and private schools in Dane County. The court agreed to hear legal challenges raised by several private schools. Because of the injunction, all schools in Dane County can reopen to in-person restrictions.

August 2020

  • August 28: Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that the state submitted a grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for an additional $300 per week for individuals receiving unemployment benefits. President Donald Trump (R) signed an executive order on Aug. 8 that allows funds in the Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) program to be used to bolster state unemployment insurance programs.

July 2020

  • July 30: Gov. Tony Evers (D) declared a public health emergency and announced a mask mandate will take effect starting on Aug. 1. Everyone five years of age and older will be required to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces.
  • July 9: Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued an order requiring state employees to wear masks at all times in state buildings beginning on July 13. State buildings will also be closed to the public indefinitely.

June 2020

  • June 22: On June 22, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released reopening guidance for schools. Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor said schools would reopen to in-person instruction for the fall. The guidance outlined several scenarios for physical distancing, including four-day school weeks, a two-day rotation, an a/b week rotation, and virtual learning.
  • June 10: Effective June 10, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reopened state campgrounds. Campers must make reservations ahead of time, and will need to bring their own firewood.
  • June 4: The Department of Natural Resources announced that campgrounds in state parks will reopen on June 10. Group camping, however, will remain closed through June 30.

May 2020

  • May 14: On May 13, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in 4-3 ruling, invalidated the executive branch's stay-at-home order. The court found that Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm overstepped her authority when she extended the stay-at-home order through May 26 on behalf of Gov. Tony Evers (D). It was the first time a state court of last resort struck down a stay-at-home order. The suit was brought by the state legislature. Republican lawmakers asked the court to strike down the stay-at-home order, but stay the implementation for several days to give them and the governor time to develop a replacement plan. The court declined to do this, and restrictions imposed on individuals and businesses were immediately lifted. Under the most recent stay-at-home order, individuals were told to remain at home, with exceptions made for performing essential and other permitted activities. The most recent order allowed retail businesses to offer curbside pick-up and delivery services and golf courses and other outdoor recreation spaces to reopen, subject to social distancing protocols.
  • May 12: Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm had issued an order Monday, May 11, allowing retail stores to reopen with the limitation that they can only serve five customers at a time. The order does not apply to close-contact businesses like barbershops.
  • May 11: Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced on Monday, May 11, that standalone and strip mall-based retail stores can allow up to five customers at a time to shop in-store. Stores must enforce social distancing requirements, such as keeping shoppers at least six feet apart. Evers also announced that drive-in movie theaters can reopen.

April 2020

  • April 28: Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced on Monday that nonessential businesses can begin to offer curbside pickup for goods or animals on Wednesday. Outdoor recreational rentals and entirely automatic car washes may also open if free of contact with customers.
  • April 27: Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed a new executive order late Monday afternoon. This breaking development occurred just as this newsletter was being sent. Visit Ballotpedia.org for updates. Wisconsin is under divided government.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services released a distribution plan on October 30, 2020.

Quick facts

Wisconsin state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? N/A[2]
Where can I find the distribution plan? COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 30, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 30, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? COVID-19: Vaccine
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? COVID-19 Activity Level Data Dashboard
Where is the state health department's homepage? Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Wisconsin - AARP

Timeline

  • April 5, 2021: Wisconsin residents 16 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[3]
  • March 30, 2021: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that residents 16 and older would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine on April 5.[4]
  • March 22, 2021: Wisconsin residents with underlying health conditions, including those with cancer and diabetes, became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[5]
  • March 16, 2021: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that people with underlying health conditions, including those with cancer and diabetes, would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 22. Evers also announced that, effective March 16, clergy, judges, prosecutors, and others in public safety were eligible to receive a vaccine.[6]
  • March 12, 2021: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced that everyone 16 and older would be eligible for a coronavirus vaccine on May 1.[7]
  • February 19, 2021: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed a law allowing pharmacy technicians and pharmacy tech students who’ve completed two years of school to administer vaccines.[8]
  • January 25, 2021: In Wisconsin, residents age 65 and older became eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine.[9]

School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Wisconsin to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Wisconsin were closed to in-person instruction on March 18, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. To notify us of when schools were allowed to reopen statewide, email us. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Wisconsin.[10][11]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported a majority of schools were using virtual or hybrid learning in Wisconsin.[12][13]
  • June 22, 2020: The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released reopening guidance for schools. Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor said that schools would reopen to in-person instruction for the fall. The guidance outlined several scenarios for physical distancing, including four-day school weeks, a two-day rotation, an a/b week rotation, and virtual learning.[14]


  • April 16, 2020: Gov. Tony Evers (D) closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through April 23.[15]
  • March 24, 2020: Evers announced that schools would remain closed through April 23.[16]
  • March 17, 2020: Evers announced that the statewide school closure, initially scheduled to end April 5, would last indefinitely.[17]
  • March 13, 2020: Evers closed all K-12 schools across the state from March 18 through April 5.[18]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Wisconsin have restrictions on travel? No.

More information can be found at Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

Timeline

  • April 19, 2020: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services urged Wisconsin residents returning from outside their communities, including from out-of-state, to self-quarantine for 14 days.[19]


Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


A mask mandate took effect on Aug. 1, requiring everyone five years of age and older to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces.

On March 31, 2021, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Gov. Tony Evers (D) overstepped his authority when he declared several states of emergency since the start of the pandemic without input from the legislature. In the majority opinion, Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote that under the relevant state statute, only a joint resolution from the legislature could extend a state of emergency beyond 60 days. Evers first declared a state of emergency in March 2020. The ruling invalidated the state's emergency order, which included the statewide mask mandate.


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Wisconsin stay-at-home order lawsuit and supreme court decision, 2020 (Wisconsin Legislature v. Palm, et al.)

Wisconsin Legislature v. Palm, et al.: On May 13, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm overstepped her authority when she extended the state's stay-at-home order through May 26 on behalf of Gov. Evers.[20] The decision made Wisconsin the first state to have a stay-at-home order overruled by a court.

On April 21, 2020, the Wisconsin State Legislature filed suit in the state supreme court against Wisconsin Department of Health Services executives Andrea Palm and Julie Willems Van Dijk, alleging that they exceeded their authority in issuing Emergency Order 28, which extended the state's stay-at-home order to May 26, 2020. The legislature asked the court to enjoin the state from enforcing the stay-at-home order.[21]

In a joint statement, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) said, "The governor has denied the people a voice through this unprecedented administrative overreach. Unfortunately, that leaves the legislature no choice but to ask the Supreme Court to rein in this obvious abuse of power. Wisconsinites deserve certainty, transparency, and a plan to end the constant stream of executive orders that are eroding both the economy and their liberty even as the state is clearly seeing a decline in COVID infections."[22]

Governor Tony Evers (D) said, "Apparently, instead of having us act quickly and decisively to respond to a crisis, Republicans would rather have us jump through hoop after hoop and ask for their permission to save lives. Folks, we don't have time. COVID-19 will not wait."[23]

Yang v. Powers: On July 20, 2020, Judge William Griesbach, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, dismissed a lawsuit seeking to void local COVID-19 orders enacted in Wisconsin. The local orders, which were enacted after the state supreme court voided Gov. Tony Evers' (D) statewide order, originated in various counties and cities across the state. In total, the lawsuit claimed six violations of constitutional rights, including right of assembly, exercise of religion, and equal protection. Without addressing substantive issues presented in the plaintiffs' complaint, Griesbach ruled that, because the lawsuit failed to allege coordinated action between the local officials, the case failed to properly join all the defendants into one lawsuit. Finding that the claims raised were "largely separate and distinct," and that each plaintiff was subject to different orders executed in different parts of the state, Griesbach ruled that "[e]ach of the government entities are independent of each other, and the fact that various governmental officials consulted with each other before they issued local orders in response to the pandemic does not transform their independent actions into a single transaction or occurrence." Griesbach dismissed the suit without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled. In a statement, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) said, "I’m happy that this challenge to critical rules to protect public health was dismissed." Joseph Voiland, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told news outlets he was considering whether to file an amended lawsuit or appeal the dismissal.[24][25][26][27]

Lindoo v. Evers: On August 25, 2020, three Wisconsin residents filed suit in Polk County Circuit Court, challenging Gov. Tony Evers' (D) authority to declare a state of emergency and impose a mask mandate. In their complaint, the plaintiffs argued that any laws that "may be necessary or appropriate to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic may not be unilaterally imposed by the Governor." Instead, the plaintiffs contended, the "state of emergency could not be lawfully extended beyond 60 days unless the Legislature, by joint resolution, approved of such an extension." The plaintiffs argued that Executive Order #82, which was issued in July and extended the public health emergency, and the subsequent mask mandate, exceeded constitutional and statutory authority and were "void because the legislature has not agreed to an extension of the Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19." Britt Cudaback, a spokeswoman for Evers, characterized the lawsuit as a Republican effort to "prevent the governor from keeping Wisconsinites healthy and safe." Rick Esenberg, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said, "[This] lawsuit is about our system of government and the rule of law."[28][29]

Newman v. Evers: On September 17, 2020, a Wisconsin poll worker who was fired from his position after refusing to wear a mask sued his local city clerk and Gov. Tony Evers (D) in the La Crosse County Circuit Court. In his complaint, poll worker Nicholas Newman asked the court to declare as unlawful Evers' Executive Order No. 82 and Emergency Order No. 1, which declared a public health emergency and mandated masks statewide, respectively. Newman argued that Evers' mask mandate exceeded "his statutory and constitutional power, and is therefore unlawful, void and unenforceable." Newman also argued that the order exempted him from wearing a face covering, as he "is an individual who has trouble breathing" and "also has a medical condition which makes it dangerous for him to wear a mask for an extended period of time." When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Evers said "that masks can save lives, and Gov. Evers continues to ask everyone to do their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask." The case was assigned to Judge Ramona A. Gonzalez.[30][31]

Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. v. Palm: On October 14, 2020, Judge John Martin Yackel, of Wisconsin’s Sawyer County Circuit Court, temporarily blocked emergency indoor capacity restrictions issued in response to an uptick in Covid-19 infections across the state. Upon Governor Tony Evers’ (D) direction, Wisconsin Health Secretary Andrea Palm issued Emergency Order #3, limiting indoor public gatherings to no more than 25 percent capacity, with certain limitations. In its complaint, the Tavern League of Wisconsin argued Executive Order #3 "purports to regulate businesses and public gatherings in a manner nearly identical to portions of Emergency Order #28," which was struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on May 13, 2020. In his order, Yackel wrote that Evers and his administration "are immediately restrained, until further order from the Court, from enforcing Emergency Order #3."[32][33][34]

On October 19, 2020, Judge James Babler, of Wisconsin’s Barron County Circuit Court, declined to block state officials from enforcing Emergency Order #3. Finding that the Tavern League and other plaintiffs had failed to meet the standard of irreparable harm necessary for an injunction, Babler said, "I merely have the theoretical issue that if they were to comply, they would suffer harm," adding, "I don’t see how anyone has been harmed by the order ... because no one has told me they changed their behavior" after it was issued. Babler said, "I beg the Supreme Court for clarity because should this issue be decided by them, trial judges need to know how they need to rule." Babler issued his ruling orally from the bench. An excerpt of that order can be viewed here.[35]

Fabick v. Evers: On March 31, 2021, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down the state's COVID-19-related public health emergency orders and mask mandate. The court ruled that, while the plain language of state statutes permitted the governor to "act with expanded powers to address a particular emergency" for 60 days, "the legislature reserves for itself the power to determine the policies that govern the state’s response to an ongoing problem" after those 60 days. The court also ruled that "when the legislature revokes a state of emergency, a governor may not simply reissue another one on the same basis." The state supreme court issued a similar order in May 2020, striking down Governor Tony Evers' (D) "Safer at Home" emergency order. The decision did not extend to local governments, which remained free to implement their own virus-related restrictions. In response to the decision, Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R) said that it "vindicates the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government and will expand freedom and opportunity for the people of Wisconsin." After the court issued its decision, Evers said, "I’ve worked to keep Wisconsinites healthy and safe, and I’ve trusted the science and public health experts to guide our decision making." Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote the majority opinion, in which Chief Justice Patience Roggensack and Justices Annette Ziegler and Rebecca Bradley joined. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, joined by Justices Rebecca Dallet and Jill Karofsky, dissented.[36][37][38]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Rebecca Kleefisch Candidate, Governor of Wisconsin September 17, 2021 Kleefisch tested positive for COVID-19.[39]
Jim Ott Wisconsin State Assembly District 23 October 3, 2020 Ott announced that he was self-quarantining after attending an event with Senator Ron Johnson (R), who later tested positive for coronavirus.[40]
Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) U.S. Senate, Wisconsin October 3, 2020 Johnson's office announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[41]
Scott Allen (Wisconsin) Wisconsin State Assembly District 97 October 2, 2020 Allen announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[42]
Bryan Steil U.S. House Wisconsin District 1 November 22, 2020 Steil announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[43]
David Bowen (Wisconsin) Wisconsin State Assembly District 10 March 23, 2020 Bowen tested positive for coronavirus after he came in contact with a fellow local official who had also tested positive.[44]
Jonathan Brostoff Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 March 19, 2020 Brostoff announced a self-quarantine after coming into contact with an individual who later tested positive for coronavirus.[45]
Tom Barrett (Wisconsin) Mayor of Milwaukee March 19, 2020 Barrett announced that he self-quarantined following an interaction with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.[46]
Gwen Moore U.S. House Wisconsin District 4 December 28, 2020 On December 28, 2020, Moore announced she had tested positive for coronavirus.[47]
André Jacque Wisconsin State Senate District 1 August 16, 2021 Jacque announced he tested positive for COVID-19.[48]
Chris Larson Wisconsin State Senate District 7 April 14, 2021 Larson announced he tested positive for COVID-19.[49]


Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ If you know where we can find a phase map, email us.
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WI45
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WI330
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WI322
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WI316
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WI312
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WI219
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WI125
  10. ↑ Burbio rated Wisconsin's in-person index at 88.9. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  11. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  12. ↑ Burbio rated Wisconsin's in-person index between 20-40. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  13. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 8, 2021
  14. ↑ FOX6, "Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction releases guidelines for reopening schools this fall," June 22, 2020
  15. ↑ WBAY, "Wisconsin governor extends Safer at Home order; schools closed for rest of year," April 16, 2020
  16. ↑ The Cap Times, "New state order extends school closures until at least April 24," March 24, 2020
  17. ↑ Channel 3000, "Evers orders schools closed indefinitely," March 17, 2020
  18. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "All Wisconsin public and private schools closing under state order, affecting more than a million children," March 14, 2020
  19. ↑ Wisconsin Department of Health Services, "COVID-19: Travel," accessed May 11, 2020
  20. ↑ The Washington Post, "Wisconsin Supreme Court blocks Evers’ stay-home extension," May 13, 2020
  21. ↑ Supreme Court of Wisconsin, "Wisconsin Legislature v. Palm, et al.: Memorandum in Support of Legislature's Emergency Petition for Original Action and Emergency Motion for Temporary Injunction," April 21, 2020
  22. ↑ Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, "Statement: Legislature Takes Gov. Evers to Court," April 21, 2020
  23. ↑ CNN, "Republican-led Wisconsin legislature sues to reopen state from stay-at-home order," April 22, 2020
  24. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, "Yang v. Powers: Amended Decision and Order Granting Defendants' Motion to Dismiss," July 20, 2020
  25. ↑ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, "Yang v. Powers: Complaint," May 20, 2020
  26. ↑ U.S. News and World Report, "Federal Suit Over Local Wisconsin COVID-19 Orders Dismissed," July 21, 2020
  27. ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Federal suit over local Wisconsin COVID-19 orders dismissed," July 22, 2020
  28. ↑ Polk County Circuit Court, "Lindoo v. Evers: Complaint," August 25, 2020
  29. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Conservatives sue to knock down Tony Evers' health emergency, mask mandate," August 25, 2020
  30. ↑ La Crosse County Circuit Court, "Newman v. Evers: Complaint," September 17, 2020
  31. ↑ The Hill, "Poll worker fired for not wearing a mask sues Wisconsin governor," September 22, 2020
  32. ↑ Wisconsin’s Sawyer County Circuit Court, "Tavern League of Wisconsin v. Palm: Temporary Restraining Order," October 14, 2020
  33. ↑ Wisconsin’s Sawyer County Circuit Court, "Tavern League of Wisconsin v. Palm: Summons," October 13, 2020
  34. ↑ Fox 11 News, "Judge blocks Wisconsin indoor capacity limits," October 14, 2020
  35. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Gov. Tony Evers' order limiting gatherings, bar capacity is back in place after judge's ruling," October 19, 2020
  36. ↑ Supreme Court of Wisconsin, "Fabick v. Evers: Order," March 31, 2021
  37. ↑ The Cap Times, "Wisconsin Supreme Court rules Evers' repeated mask mandates exceeded his authority," March 31, 2021
  38. ↑ Twitter, "Governor Tony Evers: 11:12 AM · Mar 31, 2021," accessed April 6, 2021
  39. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch tests positive for COVID-19 while on campaign trail for governor," September 21, 2021
  40. ↑ WKOW', "Rep. Ott in quarantine after attending event with Sen. Johnson, who’s COVID-19 positive," October 5, 2020
  41. ↑ The Hill, "Sen. Ron Johnson tests positive for coronavirus," October 3, 2020
  42. ↑ Patch', "Wisconsin Rep. Scott Allen Tests Positive For Coronavirus," October 5, 2020
  43. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil has tested positive for COVID-19, he says," November 22, 2020
  44. ↑ WKOW.com, "Milwaukee Rep. David Bowen tests positive for COVID-19," March 23, 2020
  45. ↑ 'Urban Milwaukee, "State Rep. Brostoff Quarantining After Coronavirus Exposure," March 19, 2020
  46. ↑ CBS 58, "Mayor Barrett self-quarantines after coming into contact with person testing positive for COVID-19," March 19, 2020
  47. ↑ CNN, "Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore tests positive for Covid-19," December 28, 2020
  48. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Sen. André Jacque of De Pere is hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19," August 17, 2021
  49. ↑ TMJ4, "'We are not out of the woods yet': State Senator Chris Larson says he tested positive for COVID-19," April 14, 2021
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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