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Masks now required in Clark County government facilities

Clark County continues to work through issues and concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response. As we move through this response our first priority is to protect the health, safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.

Clark County Board Chairman Wayne Hendrickson and County Clerk/Administrative Coordinator Christina Jensen have determined that a public health risk exists and as a result have implemented policies to minimize the risk to employees and visitors to Clark County offices/facilities. These restrictions apply to Clark County government operations and offices/facilities only.

Beginning July 27, employees and visitors to Clark County government offices and other county facilities are required to wear a face covering in order to enter and while at the office/facility. Certain exceptions apply including children 2 years old or younger and persons with a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering. This face covering requirement will apply any time employees and visitors are at a county facility and social distancing of 6 feet is not possible.

“Wearing face coverings, staying home when ill, washing hands, practicing social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings and crowds are simple measures everyone can take to protect themselves and others. The more things we can do to mitigate our risk of exposure, the better off we all are,” said Brittany Mews, health officer.

Please bring your own face covering when entering Clark County facilities. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at entrances to county buildings. If you enter a county facility and are unwilling to comply with the face covering requirements for reasons other than medical needs, you may be asked to leave and conduct your business through alternate means. If you have symptoms associated with COVID-19, please stay home and conduct your business through alternate means and avoid in person visits, and contact your healthcare provider.

Clark County Clerk/Administrative Coordinator Christina Jensen said, “These requirements are being put in place to protect employees and visitors to Clark County facilities. Cooperation with these requirements is necessary and appreciated.”

Clark County is currently classified as “High Activity” for COVID-19 based on Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) rating criteria. Clark County also currently has one of the highest incidence rates (number of cases per 100,000 people) of COVID-19 in this part of the state. This information, along with other county and regional data is available via the Wisconsin DHS website at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin. gov/covid-19/local.htm. This data is updated weekly. Maps of case counts by census tract can also be found on the DHS website at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin. gov/covid-19/cases-map.htm .This map is updated daily and shows color codes for census tracts with more than four cases. Those with fewer than four cases are not shaded in but that does not mean that cases have not occurred in those areas.

Clark County is requesting the public’s assistance to help contain the spread of the current pandemic. The public should avoid non-essential visits to county offices and facilities including the Courthouse, Highway Department, and Adult Development Services. Please use alternate means of communicating with county agencies such as telephone, email, U.S Mail, etc. to conduct business where possible. Questions related to changes in service and methods of contact should be directed by telephone to the agency/office you need to make contact with.

This is a challenging time for everyone. Cooperation with these guidelines is appreciated. For more information call the administrative coordinator at 715-743-5150 or the department you wish to contact. If you have questions about services we encourage you to call the agency/office you need to contact.

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