Wisconsin Regulations
Office of the Governor
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EXECUTIVE ORDER #72

Relating to a Proclamation Declaring a Health Emergency in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus

WHEREAS, in December, 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus was detected, now named COVID-19, and it has spread throughout numerous countries including the United States;

WHEREAS, international organizations, the federal government, state government, and local governments are all working together to contain the further spread of the disease and treat existing cases;

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services has declared a Public Health Emergency;

WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin has been working to protect all Wisconsinites from the spread of this disease, and to prepare for the impacts it may have on the state; and

WHEREAS, in order to protect the health and well-being of its residents, the State of Wisconsin must avail itself of all resources needed to respond to and contain the presence of COVID-19 in the State.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TONY EVERS, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this state, and specifically by Sections 100.305, 321.39, 323.10, 323.12, and 323.13 of the Wisconsin Statutes, hereby:

1. Proclaim that a public health emergency, as defined in Section 323.02(16) of the Wisconsin Statutes, exists for the State of Wisconsin.

2. Designate the Department of Health Services as the lead agency to respond to the public health emergency.

3. Direct the Department of Health Services to take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and respond to incidents of COVID-19 in the State.

4. Suspend the provisions of any administrative rule, if the Secretary of the Department of Health Services determines that compliance with that rule would prevent, hinder, or delay necessary actions to respond to the emergency and increase the health threat.

5. Authorize the Adjutant General to activate the Wisconsin National Guard as necessary and appropriate to assist in the State's response to the public health emergency.

6. Direct all state agencies to assist as appropriate in the State's ongoing response to the public health emergency.

7. Proclaim that a period of abnormal economic disruption, as defined in Section 100.305 of the Wisconsin Statutes, exists in the State of Wisconsin.

8. Direct the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to enforce prohibitions against price gauging during an emergency, as authorized under Section 100.305 of the Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter ATCP 106 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

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IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this twelfth day of March in the year of two thousand twenty.

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TONY EVERS

Governor

By the Governor:

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DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE

Secretary of State