MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers condemned a Wisconsin judge's call to temporarily block capacity limits as a "dangerous decision" and said his administration will be challenging the decision in court.
The governor posted a video to social media Wednesday afternoon, hours after a Sawyer County judge blocked the enforcement of capacity limits pending a lawsuit filed by the Tavern League against the Evers' administration. That lawsuit alleges that the recent statewide COVID-19 order, which limits capacity in public places such as bars and restaurants to 25 percent, will devastate already suffering businesses across the state.
But Evers argued Wednesday that the capacity limits are necessary in stemming spiraling COVID-19 cases in the state.
"We are at a critical point in the battle against this virus," Evers said. "Just because some folks out there want to see full bars and full hospitals doesn't mean we have to listen."
The governor cited coronvirus numbers filed by the DHS on Tuesday, which saw record-setting numbers of hospitalizations, confirmed cases and deaths caused by the virus.
"The longer it takes for folks to take this virus seriously, the longer it will take to get our economy and our communities back on track," argued Gov. Evers in the video.
"If you want to get back to enjoying our favorite bars and restaurants, public events and some sense of normal, then we need you to stay home," according to Evers.
The governor insisted that the rising COVID-19 numbers are not inevitable, and that Wisconsin residents "can control our own destiny."
"I know this has been tough and can and will get through these hard times if we band together, look out for our neighbors, and put science and public health before politics," Evers concluded in the video.
