KEWAUNEE – Unlike its neighbors, Kewaunee County is not instituting a version of a safer-at-home order.

But it has issued "Moving Kewaunee County Forward," a guide that explains what businesses, organizations and the public should do to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The decision was announced Thursday night after discussions throughout the day among local government officials following the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision Wednesday to strike down the state's safer-at-home orders issued by Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services.

The ruling came as Brown, Door, Manitowoc and other nearby counties in northeast Wisconsin issued orders to temporarily resume restrictions of varying degrees. 

“We need to move forward with a new normal. Our businesses from small to large need

to be able to operate and earn revenue. We are encouraging everyone to continue

practices that limit exposure of COVID-19, so Kewaunee County does not have to issue

an order with restrictions,” said Administrator Scott Feldt.

County Board Chairperson Dan Olson said the county believed its residents and businesses know what they need to do to protect themselves and the public from the virus after two months of safer-at-home restrictions. Olson expects they'll continue to be careful.

"It's just that we're confident people understand what they need to do," Olson said. "If there are problems (later), if there's a flare-up of some sort, obviously we'll look at it and reassess it."

The guidelines follow Olson's comment Thursday morning that he hopes the county will issue something that lets residents know that, with or without restrictions, they're still in a midst of a health crisis. His main concern is for the vulnerable individuals, such as assisted living facility residents and the elderly.

"What we need to do is get out guidelines as a reminder that, hey, yes, the (safer-at-home) order has been lifted," Olson said. "However, that does not mean these aren't the best practices."

The guidelines follow previous measures recommended by the state and county.

“In order to successfully move forward, we need to keep in mind that COVID-19 still

exists and we need to continue to be vigilant of our actions in order to stop the spread,”

said Cindy Kinnard, director of Kewaunee County Public Health Department.

The county is asking businesses and organizations to:

• Provide personal protective equipment (PPEs) and encouraging mask-wearing for staff.
• Offer handwashing or hand sanitizing to both staff and patrons.
• Sanitize frequently touched surfaces between each user.
• Remove items that cannot be sanitized.
• Consider assigning staff to clean and disinfect areas regularly.
• Post signs on the front door about changes to policies and instructing people to stay away if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
• Place markers on the floor at least six feet apart to indicate social distancing.
• Clean and sanitize public restroom facilities every two hours.

The public is asked to: 

• Follow safer-at-home guidelines whenever possible.
• Wear a mask in public.
• Continue to practice social distancing of at least six feet.
• Use proper hand hygiene or hand sanitizer when in public places.
• Discourage handshaking and hugging.
• Use curbside pickup of goods as much as possible.

The County Board approved a resolution March 17 declaring a public health emergency and gave the administrator and board chair power to issue emergency orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four orders have been issued under this measure, but they were all related to local government operations.

As of Thursday, the county has recorded 30 positive results for the COVID-19 virus from 405 tests, with one death and 85 results pending. Twenty-two of those who tested positive have been cleared. and one is currently hospitalized

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or [email protected]

RELATED: Are Wisconsin schools, bars and hair salons open? What the Supreme Court ruling to end Evers' stay-at-home order means.

RELATED: Here's which Wisconsin counties and cities have continued or modified stay-at-home orders

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Kewaunee County issues guidance plan, instead of a 'safer-at-home' order, in aftermath of high court ruling