Gov. Evers, Other Midwestern Governors Announce Partnership to Reopen Regional Economy

Governor Tony Evers and governors from six other Midwest
states announced Thursday that they will “work in close coordination” to reopen
the economy in the region in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evers, along with Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan,
Mike DeWine from Ohio, Tim Walz of Minnesota, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Eric
Holcomb of Indiana and Andy Beshear of Kentucky said in a joint release that their
“economies are all reliant on each other, and we must work together to safely
reopen them so hardworking people can get back to work, and businesses can get
back on their feet.”

The governors said four factors will be looked at to
determine when its best to reopen the economy. They include:

–Sustained control of the rate of new infections and hospitalizations

–Enhanced ability to test and trace

–Sufficient health care capacity to handle resurgence

–Best practices for social distancing in the workplace

“Phasing in sectors of our economy will be most effective
when we work together as a region,” the release said. “This doesn’t mean our
economy will reopen all at once, or that every state will take the same steps
at the same time, but close coordination will ensure we get this right.”