Latest WI Vaccine, Mask Mandates: See Who's Requiring It

ACROSS WISCONSIN — Many parts of Wisconsin are beginning to see surges in cases of COVID-19. Some employers, businesses and institutions have announced vaccine requirements and a return to masks as the delta variant contributes to the increase in cases.

All people in areas of high or significant risk of community infection, regardless of if they are vaccinated or not, are recommended to wear masks in public, indoor spaces. Masks are also recommended for all K-12 schools, according to new CDC guidance released last week.

Parts of Wisconsin have taken longer to see increased vaccine rates. At least 11 counties are at high or substantial risk of community virus transmission, Patch previously reported. One part of Milwaukee County is seeing a small surge regardless of its above-average vaccine rates.

It is unlikely that a statewide mask mandate would resurface. The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Governor Tony Evers' mask mandate in March. The court decided the emergency orders were unlawful because they stretched past 60 days, Patch previously reported.

Localities are free to make their own decisions and could reinstate a mask mandate, should local leaders decide. State legislators would also be able to take evasive measures against the new increases in cases.

Some private universities have instated mandates for vaccination among their staff and students. Schools in the University of Wisconsin System may be barred from taking action against the virus and the new delta variant, a report revealed.

Communities At Risk Of Spread

Here's the level of spread around Wisconsin's largest metros and across the state, according to the latest CDC data. The CDC grades each county on a scale; low, moderate, substantial or high.

Most of Wisconsin is considered to be at high or substantial risk of community transmission of COVID-19. The CDC now recommends masks indoors in public when in areas of high or substantial risk.

Parts of Wisconsin remain at a moderate risk of community transmission, but many more are at elevated risk levels.

These are the largest Wisconsin metro areas risk levels:

Milwaukee County

Level of community transmission: High

Waukesha County

Level of community transmission: High

Racine County

Level of community transmission: High

Dane County:

Level of community transmission: High

The CDC regularly updates these risk levels. Below is a map of Wisconsin and each county's risk level. Red indicates high risk, orange indicates substantial risk and yellow means moderate.

Companies Reinstating Mask Rules or Vaccine Requirements:

Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual emailed employees Friday that unvaccinated employees must work from home after Aug. 11, TMJ4 reported.

Those working onsite, contractors and employees, will be required to provide proof of vaccination, according to the TMJ4 report.

Health Care Facilities

Many health care facilities across Wisconsin have mandated that associates and employees get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Among the hospital systems are Ascension, Children's Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, SSM Health, Froedtert and ProHealth Care.

Froedtert Health joined the pack of healthcare facilities mandating vaccines for employees on Wednesday. The company announced all employees, students, vendors, staff and volunteers must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, Patch reported.

Ascension announced that it will require vaccination for many associates — those employed by subsidiaries and partners; physicians and advanced practice providers, whether employed or independent; and volunteers and vendors entering Ascension facilities, according to a news release.

Colleges And Higher Education

So far at least four higher education institutions have announced vaccine requirements for students, staff or both. View the list here.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is considering a mask mandate, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will require masks for all indoors, regardless of vaccine status. The college will also start testing unvaccinated students and staff on a weekly basis, according to an update from the university.

Those actions may conflict with recent actions from the University of Wisconsin System Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. UW System universities will have to submit their COVID-19 mitigation rules to the Committee within 30 days — the body may then decide if the policies are just, or if they should be suspended, according to a Wisconsin State Journal report.

Milwaukee Area Technical College will require all students, employees, vendors and visitors to wear a mask starting Aug. 9, according to an announcement from the system. Milwaukee Area Technical College has locations across the metro Milwaukee area.

United Airlines

United Airlines announced Friday that it will require all employees to get vaccinated, and provide proof of it, by Oct. 25, according to a report from NBC News.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines requires all new hires in the U.S. to be vaccinated. The company was one of the first to require it, as it was announced in May.

Tyson

Tyson Foods announced in a news release Tuesday that all employees, including its frontline workforce and corporate, must get vaccinated by Nov. 1.

About half of the companies employees, about 56,000, have been vaccinated so far, the news release said. As an incentive, the company is offering $200 to employees to get vaccinated.

Tyson operates a plant in Green Bay and one in New London.

Kohl's

Any Kohl's employees working in an area with substantial or high COVID-19 transmission rates (as defined by the CDC) will need to wear masks whiles working. The retailer recommends shoppers also wear masks while inside stores. Employees are encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccine and the company said it will provide resources to help workers get vaccinated.

Walmart

The company says it's following CDC guidance that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas of substantial or high transmission. The company is also strongly urging all employees to get vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible.

McDonald's
The fast food giant has mandated both employees and customers wear masks while inside at their restaurants in areas of high and substantial transmission.

Home Depot

All Home Depot employees must wear masks while working, the company announced this week. Customers will be asked to wear masks and complimentary masks will be available at the door for shoppers.

Target

Target will again require employees to wear face masks in areas of substantial and high transmission, the retail giant announced Monday. The new policy went into effect Tuesday. Read more here.

Kroger

The grocery chain, parent of Metro Market and Pick 'N Save, is asking both customers and shoppers to wear masks while inside stores. Employees who received the COVID-19 vaccine will receive a one-time $100 bonus.