As major organizations and other cities across the world begin to cancel events because of the coronavirus pandemic, the city of Milwaukee is evaluating large events.
At a news conference Wednesday, City Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik said "at this point in time the Milwaukee Health Department is not issuing formal guidance on closure. We are referring guidance to business owners or whoever is organizing the event."
This information came before the NBA’s decision late in the evening to postpone the season, thereby canceling tomorrow’s Bucks/Celtics Game at Fiserv Forum.
The downtown area, including Fiserv, was packed Wednesday night with concerts and comedy shows at various venues. Outside the Fiserv Forum signs instructed fans on how to protect themselves against the virus.
As for future events like this weekend’s St. Patricks Day parade in Milwaukee, the mayor said evaluations would be made on a daily if not hourly basis.
"This is a very fluid situation right now so I can’t make any guarantees," said Mayor Tom Barrett.
Kowalik said the city isn’t at the point of canceling events, yet.
"These heavier measures of isolation, quarantine, closures, cancellations, that’s something that would be considered. But at this very moment that is not something being issued in this community."
Mayor Barrett did say his office has asked the Governor to declare a Public Health Emergency, which would free up resources and funding.