​Mayor Vruwink Urges Compliance with Safer at Home Order

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – (March 25, 2020) Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, non-essential businesses have been ordered to close to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with Governor Evers’ Safer At Home order.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tony Evers ordered Wisconsin residents to stay at home except for conducting essential business, and ordered all non-essential businesses closed. The Governor’s order can be found here. While essential businesses and places of employment are still open, you must continue to observe the recommended six feet of social distancing at all times. This is essential in successfully limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our community and ‘flattening the curve’ of outbreaks that may overwhelm our medical services.

Mayor Vruwink urges all City residents to abide by the Governor’s order, while nurturing your wellbeing.

“While observing social distancing requirements, our fine recreational trails remain open for exercise and outdoor activity. City Ordinances do allow for leashed dogs to be walked in these areas.”

City Buildings and Playgrounds in Parks are closed to the public. The majority of City of Wisconsin Rapids government services are deemed essential and will continue. However, the Lowell Senior Center and McMillan Memorial Library remain closed.

Other essential businesses which will remain open include grocery stores, restaurants for carry-out/curbside pickup, medical facilities, hardware and home improvement stores, and gas station/convenience stores. Travel should be limited to essential purposes- purchasing supplies, providing care for another, and reporting to work at essential businesses.

As a reminder, City Hall and other city facilities have limited access to the public. However, the City Clerk’s office and the Municipal Court office window, located on the first floor, will remain open at this time.

​The City Clerk encourages voting Absentee by mail by requesting a ballot at vote.wi.gov. Alternatively, in-person absentee voting is available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the City Clerk’s office inside City Hall.

“Abiding by this order doesn’t mean we cannot stay in contact with family and neighbors”, said Mayor Zach Vruwink. Consider a phone call or video chat to keep in contact. Support our small businesses and follow the City and Wood County Health on Facebook. We all have a great individual responsibility to keep ourselves and community healthy.”

We are working with the Wood County Health Department regarding Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) donations so that our public safety employees are safe, and can render safe aid and assistance to the public.

​Mayor Vruwink has implemented telework requirements for some City employees, as well as other measures such as requiring the practice of social distancing and staggered scheduling to ensure the safety and health of employees who cannot work remotely.

​For a full listing of city department closings and details, please visit: wirapids.org/coronavirus. Call 211 with any questions.