Late Friday, the Oneida County Health Department revised an order that earlier closed campgrounds and related facilities due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The department reports after conversations with campground owners and assurance that certain guidelines could be met, they determined that under state rules campgrounds with Oneida County may open and remain in operation if they met a number of conditions. The Revised Health Order is effective May 1, 2020 and will remain in effect through May 26, 2020 or as long as Executive Order #28 is in effect, whichever is longer.
Among the guidelines: only independent camping sites/units , sites with their own bathrooms, kitchens, and showers shall be occupied. The sites can limit all sites/units to members of a single household or living unit. There are more than 10 other conditions.
We have the full release below.
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Campgrounds within Oneida County to open with guidelines to prevent spread of COVID-19
Oneida County, WI – Health Order: Temporary Closure of all Campgrounds within Oneida County was issued on April 17, 2020. After conversations with campground owners and assurance that certain guidelines could be met, the Director/Health Officer has determined that under Wis. Stat. §252.03(1), campgrounds with Oneida County may open and remain in operation subject to all the following:
Oneida County’s guidelines for campgrounds to remain in operation:
- Only independent camping sites/units (i.e., sites/units with their own bathrooms, kitchens, and showers) shall be occupied.
- Limit all sites/units to members of a single household or living unit.
- All other private gatherings of any number of people at a site/unit is prohibited.
- Campers need to maintain social distancing of six (6) feet with anyone outside of their household group.
- The use of buildings or public spaces that would encourage social gatherings of any number of people (exercise facilities, hot tubs, picnic areas, public bathrooms, and showers, swimming areas, and swimming pools) is prohibited.
- Staff will routinely clean surfaces that are commonly touched by campers with an EPA registered product.
- Campground owners will encourage social distancing, hand hygiene, and cleaning in the workplace to protect employees.
- Comply with Emergency Order #28 “Safer at Home”, including the requirements of Sections 13.b (selling groceries and medicine), 13.d (restaurant operations), and 13.e (bar operation).
- Guests are prohibited from congregating in lobbies or other common areas.
- Guests will provide adequate space to adhere to social distancing requirements while queuing for the front desk, store, or other services.
- Guests will comply with all other applicable Wisconsin Department of Health Services guidelines for businesses.
- Each campground has different features and shared areas (such as shared docks) that may require monitoring and/or signage.
Please consider these areas and take any precautions that you can to help protect your customers, especially older customers.
- Encourage your customers to wear face coverings whenever the possibility exists that they may be passing each other in areas such as on docks, parking areas, etc.
The above are deemed reasonable and necessary to prevent, suppress and control the COVID-19 virus consistent with Sec 252.03 Wis. Stats.
The decision to allow campgrounds to open under these guidelines was made in part, after discussion with campground owners. They indicated they could meet these practices in order to ensure a safe environment. This revised Health Order is intended to be and should be interpreted as being consistent with Governor Evers’ executive Order (EO) #28. EO #28 permits only essential travel, and states that individuals are strongly encouraged to remain at their primary residence or home
. Travel to second homes or residences should be avoided if possible. Wisconsinites are encourage to stay close to home and strongly discouraged from engaging in unnecessary travel.
This Revised Health Order is effective May 1, 2020 and will remain in effect through May 26, 2020 or as long as Executive Order #28 is in effect, whichever is longer
If you have questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or text COVID-19 to 211-211.
To read the latest information about COVID-19 check the Oneida County Health Department website (oneidacountypublichealth.org) or Facebook page (facebook.com/OneidaCountyHealthDepartment/), the Department of Health Services (DHS) website (https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html).
