Door County Asks Tourists to Postpone Travel Plans

Door County officials are encouraging tourists not to visit Door County for the next 30 days as the county attempts to grapple with the demands of the spread of COVID-19. Over the past several weeks the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has raised health concerns around the world, and Door County is no exception. Door County declared a public health emergency March 16.

Door County Public Health and its partners in Emergency Management, ADRC, Door County Public Safety Agencies, Door County Community Foundation, Door County Fire Chiefs Association, the Door County Emergency Support Coalition, and local elected officials all stand behind this recommendation with the ultimate goal of providing the safest public health environment possible in Door County. 

The County is asking lodging entities to consider reducing the risk to our neighbors by not accepting new reservations and canceling those that exist to encourage people to temporarily not travel to the area. The sooner we address this issue in Door County, the sooner we can get back to welcoming guests to our peninsula again. 

Door County has well trained and capable medical personnel, but staffing is limited and stretched thin during this emergency. The County makes this statement in hopes of limiting the demands placed on local hospitals, emergency personnel, nurses and doctors. 

A statewide order banning public gatherings of 10 or more people went into effect March 17, resulting in the closure of all restaurants and bars in Door County and throughout Wisconsin. Restaurants are allowed to offer take-out or delivery. Many other businesses have had to close or reduce their normal operating schedules or procedures, and in an increasing number of cases, are voluntarily making the decision to temporarily close. A majority of events scheduled in the coming weeks have been postponed or cancelled to comply with orders from state health officials that restrict mass gatherings to less than 10 people.