Dane County to require face coverings as state provides more PPE

Dane County said Tuesday that next week it plans to require anyone over the age of 5 to wear a face covering or mask when indoors except at home.

Gov. Tony Evers also announced more efforts to provide personal protective equipment to schools and businesses.

Dane County’s order goes into effect next Monday at 8 a.m. It will apply to any enclosed building where others are present, except for members of the person’s household or living unit.

The order also requires people to wear a face covering when in line to enter any indoor space, riding in public transportation, ride-sharing and using a taxi or any other for-hire vehicle.

There are exceptions for certain activities like eating at a restaurant and for those who have physical, mental or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask.

“Given the recent rapid increases in cases in our county—that happened even before school and university classes resume this fall—it’s imperative we take this step now to try and slow the march of COVID through our community,” County Executive Joe Parisi said in a statement.

Dane County is working to provide cloth masks to those in need.

On Tuesday, Evers said the state will ship more than 2 million cloth masks and over 4,200 infrared thermometers to schools throughout the state.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will also help deliver around 60,000 masks to food processors and businesses.

“Whether it’s a school, cheese plant or restaurant, we are doing everything we can to ensure that everyone has access to the essential resources and PPE they need to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Evers said in a statement.

There are now 80 labs doing COVID-19 testing, with a capacity of 19,014 tests. There have 32,556 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 495 from Monday.

Total deaths have reached 805, according to the Department of Health Services. There were nine additional deaths reported Tuesday.