Metro Milwaukee business group calls for state to reopen May 11

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Metro Milwaukee's largest business group says the state should reopen two weeks before Safer at Home is scheduled to expire.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce is calling for a "smart restart" to begin on May 11.

It supported the original order that was to expire on April 24, and is now asking Governor Evers to end the extended order on May 11 to allow more small businesses to open safely. One reason for the restart they say, is that the local health care system is not overwhelmed.

"Think of small business like Biltrite Furniture that is closed when you can go buy the same product in a Walmart. Those inconsistencies could be better fleshed out with a smart restart and offer the opportunity to come safely back into the economy," said MMAC president Tim Sheehy.

The MMAC represents hundreds of businesses across the area that employ more than 3,000 people.