FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Krystal Westfahl
Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau + Chamber of Commerce
(715) 356-5266
krystal@minocqua.org
Yesterday was an unprecedented day for many of us. We watched as our country slowly came to a standstill in an effort to help flatten the curve of this growing pandemic. We here at Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau + Chamber of Commerce will be helping in this endeavor by following the Department of Health Services public health emergency measures:
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recommends that all non-essential gatherings of 250 or more people be cancelled or postponed statewide to help protect Wisconsinites from the spread of COVID-19, particularly those who are most vulnerable to infection and severe disease. DHS supports the decisions of any event organizers that elect to cancel or postpone events with less than 250 attendees in order to protect their communities. Organizers should consider the following:
- Potential for attendance from older adults, individuals with underlying health care conditions, or other vulnerable groups
Potential for attendance from individuals from a wide range of geographic areas across Wisconsin, the United States, or other countries
The setting of the event, particularly if it involves sustained interaction between attendees in close physical proximity
By implementing limitations on mass gatherings DHS is intending to slow the spread of this epidemic to a level such that the healthcare system is able to maintain quality care for patients. Mass gatherings during an outbreak of a particularly infectious disease such as COVID-19 have the potential to result in large numbers of ill people that can quickly overwhelm local hospitals and clinics.
Our organization will uphold this declaration by cancelling or postponing our events in the remaining days of March as well as the month of April to help our health care workers stay ahead of this worldwide pandemic. Business Mixers that were scheduled for March and April will be postponed and new dates will be released shortly. Our MAGIC Workforce Development Roundtable that was scheduled for March 30 at The Pointe Hotel and Suites will be converted into an online webinar. The topic of discussion will now include how Covid-19 will impact our J1 Visa workforce along with rural workforce housing program(s), and temporary housing solutions. Please look for an updated press release in the days to come.
At this time, our summer event series will proceed as planned. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as required.
Our Northwoods communities greatly rely on the health of our small businesses. As we see more quarantine messaging, please keep in mind that our business owners still need your support. Some ideas to help them during this time include purchasing gift cards now and using them later, purchasing items for future pick up, and keeping your memberships current as most places rely on your dues to operate. If you know a business owner, ask them how you can help them during this time.
As this pandemic unfolds, we will be sure to keep everyone informed as we receive information and how it could impact our Northwoods communities.
Stay safe,
Krystal Westfahl, Executive Director
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