Oconto County campgrounds partially reopened

ATV trail system also opened; most county COVID-19 cases are in the southeast
By: 
NEW Media Staff

OCONTO — Oconto County Health Officer Debra Konitzer on Monday announced the issuance of Health Officer Order No. 5, which allows Oconto County’s public and private campgrounds to open non-seasonal campsites for campers with independent units only, meaning self-contained bathroom facilities.

The order, which is effective at 8 a.m. Tuesday, contains requirements that Konitzer said were intended to protect the health and safety of campground staff and occupants. It will remain in effect as long as the state Safer at Home Order is in effect, including any extensions of the order or as otherwise ordered by Oconto County Public Health, she said.

“Oconto County officials have been working together to monitor the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state and county,” Konitzer said. “After careful consideration, we will allow the opening of the campgrounds, within the provisions of the Safer at Home Order.”

Campground management will be responsible for assuring that the requirements are met within the campground and by camping occupants.

Restrictions are as follows:

• Campgrounds are required to comply with the Safer at Home Order Sections 13.b, 13.d and 13.e as well as close swimming pools, beaches, hot tubs and exercise facilities.

• Campgrounds must not allow guests to congregate in common areas such as lobbies and also must provide enough space for people to practice social distancing in common areas.

• Campgrounds must prohibit use of buildings that encourage social gathering, such as toilet, laundry and shower facilities.

• Campgrounds must limit all campsites to members of a single household or living unit and prohibit all other private gatherings of any number of people.

Campsite occupants are required to follow the Safer at Home Order. This means to maintain social distancing of six feet at all times, remain at their campsite except for the exceptions allowed in the Safer at Home Order and to not gather with of any number of people that are not part of their single household/living unit.

Kontizer last week ended the suspension of ATV/UTV use on county roads that are part of the Oconto County Trail System.

The county trail system was fully opened effective at 8 a.m. Friday, May 8, as the slow reopening of the community continues as shelter-in-place orders are relaxed.

“The public needs to continue the implementation of social distancing practices such as maintaining 6 feet between people, wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, cover cough and sneeze and not gather with people who are not included in their household,” Konitzer said. “These practices reduce contact between people, which decreases the spread of the virus.”

The number of positive tests for COVID-19 crept up to 28 in Oconto County through Monday, according to the state Department of Health Services. The county also recorded 627 negative tests through May 11, and the rate of infection was 74.6 per 100,000 population, less than half the state average of 180.3.

A health services map showed that all of the Oconto County cases were clustered in the U.S. Census tract that includes the southern towns of Morgan, Chase and Little Suamico, along the border with Brown County where a significant outbreak was in progress.

The map demonstrates a range for the number of cases in each census tract. Areas where there are fewer than five cases are not shown.

In addition to social and physical distancing, Oconto County Public Health encourages riders to take the following steps when using the county’s trails:

• Stay home if you’re not feeling well.

• Return to your place of residence if you become ill.

• Practice good hygiene by washing and sanitizing hands often.

• Bring enough food and other supplies with you for the extent of your stay.

• Limit your stops at gas stations and grocery stores while in the county.