Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers. (Source: Wisconsin National Guard CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Wisconsin, you’re going to be “Safer at Home” for a little bit longer. A month longer, to be more precise: On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Tony Evers extended his “Safer at Home” order -- which restricts nonessential travel, businesses, and gatherings to slow the spread of the coronavirus – until Tuesday, May 26.

In addition, the governor order that public and private K-12 school buildings will be closed for the rest of the 2019-20 school year, although distance and virtual learning will continue.

Evers’ original “Safer at Home” order had run from March 24 to April 24, only eight days from today.

“A few weeks ago, we had a pretty grim outlook for what COVID-19 could mean for our state, but because of the efforts of all of you, Safer at Home is working. That said, we aren't out of the woods just yet,” Evers said in a media release. “As I've said all along, we are going to rely on the science and public health experts to guide us through this challenge. So, as we extend Safer at Home, I need all of you to continue doing the good work you've been doing so we can keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and get through this storm together.”

While “Safer at Home” has been extended, it has also been tweaked. Here are some of the changes, according to Evers:

• Schools: Public and private K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
• Local parks and open space: Local health officials may close public parks and open spaces if it becomes too difficult to ensure social distancing or the areas are being mistreated.
• Travel: People are strongly encourage to stay close to home, not travel to second homes or cabins, and not to travel out-of-state if it is not necessary.
• Public libraries: Public libraries may now provide curb-side pick-up of books and other library materials.
• Golf Courses: 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: Non-essential businesses will now be able to do more things as Minimum Basic Operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up. Non-essential businesses must notify workers of whether they are necessary for the Minimum Basic Operations.
• Arts and Crafts Stores: Arts and craft stores may offer expanded curb-side pick-up of materials necessary to make face masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Aesthetic or Optional Exterior Work: Aesthetic or optional exterior lawn care or construction is now allowed under the extended order, so long as it can be done by one person.
• Tribal Nations: Tribal Nations are sovereign over their territory and can impose their own restrictions. Non-tribal members should be respectful of and avoid non-essential travel to Tribal territory. Local government must coordinate, collaborate, and share information with Tribal Nations.

If you’re curious, here is a link to the full text of the order in PDF form. The governor’s office also provided a Frequently Asked Questions document, which you can find here.