By Shereen Siewert
University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson today joined leaders of the Tavern League of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association in asking bar and restaurant owners to enforce mask mandates and encourage physical distancing as students return to universities for on-campus instruction.
Thompson, Tavern League Executive Director Pete Madland, and Restaurant Association President and CEO Kristine Hillmer said in a letter to the groups’ members that they play a crucial role in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Across our country, we have seen the consequences when large numbers of young people congregate in public settings, including bars and restaurants,” the letter states. “Those consequences have led to the reversal or suspension of plans to provide in-person instruction. We know that nobody wants this outcome.”
The letter goes on to ask both groups to engage their membership on mask-enforcement and social distancing efforts.
Specifically, tavern and restaurant owners are being asked to encourage patrons to maintain social distance, set capacity limits, enforce mask mandates both inside and outdoors where applicable, post informational signs and rely on other guidance from local public health departments.
See the full letter here.
