In a recent letter from Sturgeon Bay City Administrator Josh Van Lieshout, he reminds us that lodging does remain an essential service under the governor’s “safer at home” order. Hotels, motels, and other short-term rentals are often home for temporary workers and displaced persons. He says it is a false assumption that a license plate from out of state is a leisure traveler in violation of the order. Also, with door county’s 4 detachments of the Coast Guard, they have men and women here from all over the country. There are many other reasons for essential travel to bring those to Door County who may need short-term lodging. Then there is also the story of a family recently displaced from their home by a fire. Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief Tim Dietman commented that when a fire displaces a family they need a safe place to stay, and most often that is a hotel or motel. So, again, for multiple reasons, lodging does remain an essential service.
