Door County asks tourists, seasonal residents to stay away

STURGEON BAY, Wis. (March 23, 2020) – Updated with a county travel advisory order issued March 23, 2020

Door County, a popular tourist destination, is taking the unusual step of asking tourists and seasonal residents to stay away during this health crisis.

Door County officials says reducing the number of people traveling to the area for the next 30 days could help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

A travel order from the county public health officer on March 23 asks seasonal residents and people with a second home in Door County to stay in the area of their permanent home.

Although there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Door County, emergency management is concerned that a higher population puts others at risk and could stretch medical personnel thin and put higher demands on local hospitals and health workers.

Pursuant to WI. Stat. 252.03(1), the Door County Public Health Officer has issued a Travel Advisory Order due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national spread of the COVID-19 virus:

Emergency management is asking Door County resorts to cancel existing reservations and not accept new reservations.

The statement says elected officials, the county health department, public safety agencies, the county fire chiefs association, county emergency support coalition, Door County Community Foundation and the Aging and Disability Resource Center all supported the recommendation.

Orders from the state government already restricted gatherings to fewer than 10 people and closed restaurant dining rooms and bars across the state.