Milwaukee’s COVID-19 face mask requirements remain despite CDC guidance about vaccines
The City of Milwaukee’s face mask requirements remain in effect, despite Thursday’s announcement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that significantly loosened restrictions for people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The city’s requirements were created through an ordinance that was approved by the Common Council and signed by Mayor Tom Barrett last summer. Altering the ordinance requires a similar process, which takes time.
Here’s where things stand.
Here’s what Milwaukee’s mask mandate says
As it currently stands, the city mask mandate requires anyone in the city who is at least 3 years old to have a face covering when they leave home. Masks must be worn whenever in a building that is open to the public, and when outside in a public space and within 6 feet of any other person who is not a household or family member.
Owners or operators of buildings that are open to the public must make sure that those inside wear masks and can face penalties for not enforcing the ordinance.
Changes to Milwaukee’s mask mandate were recommended before CDC guidance changed
Changes to the outdoor requirements in the ordinance were unanimously recommended for adoption by the council’s Public Safety and Health Committee Thursday morning — hours before the new CDC guidance was issued.
Under the new legislation recommended by the committee, the mask ordinance would be altered to require people to follow the CDC’s guidance on wearing masks outside instead of providing specific local requirements.
It does not alter the indoor section of the ordinance that requires that masks be worn whenever a person is in a “building open to the public,” except to exempt outdoor spaces and patios.
The changes are expected to be taken up by the full council at its next meeting on May 25, though they do not fully reflect the new CDC guidance.
CDC guidance could change things in Milwaukee but hasn’t yet
The CDC now says Americans who have been fully vaccinated may forgo masks and social distancing outside and in most indoor settings.
“The CDC announcement yesterday took us all by surprise, so we’re currently having internal conversations about what this will mean for the City of Milwaukee,” city Health Department spokeswoman Emily Tau said in an email Friday. “We appreciate the patience by the public as we determine the best course of action to keep our community safe.
“At this time, the current mask ordinance still stands for the City of Milwaukee.”
City officials hope to have an update at a Tuesday afternoon media briefing, she said.
It’s unknown how long Milwaukee’s mandate will remain
It was also unclear how the city’s lifting of many COVID-19 restrictions come June 15 would affect the mask ordinance. The ordinance remains in force as long the city’s COVID-19 health orders are in place.
Milwaukee County mask requirements also remain for now
Milwaukee County, too, was caught off guard by the announcement.
As of Friday, its mask requirements had not changed, and officials were analyzing what the new federal guidance would mean for mask requirements at county facilities and county grounds.
“The CDC announcement yesterday took us all by surprise, so we’re currently having internal conversations about what this will mean for the City of Milwaukee . ... At this time, the current mask ordinance still stands for the City of Milwaukee.”
Emily Tau Health Department spokeswoman