Wisconsin Puts Limits On Child Care Centers Over COVID-19

Wisconsin is putting new limits on child care facilities in response to the new coronavirus.

The state has kept child care centers out of closure orders, like the ones affecting K-12 schools. Gov. Tony Evers said keeping those centers open was necessary to ensure care for dependents of hospital workers, first responders and others working to stop the COVID-19 outbreak.

But the Evers administration announced measures “scaling down” child care settings Wednesday. Under an order from the state Department of Health Services, child care centers can now have no more than 50 children on site and no more than 10 staff members.

And state officials say the centers should prioritize care for families providing health care or other essential services.

They’re asking all others to keep their kids home.

The state also said it was looking into on-site child care options at health care facilities, in conjunction with officials in health care, child care and the Wisconsin National Guard.

The order takes effect Thursday morning.