WISCONSIN DELLS, WI (SPECTRUM NEWS) — Resorts and businesses in the Wisconsin Dells are getting ready to reopen as coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

The Sauk County Health Department is telling resorts to follow its guidelines and Wisconsin Economic Development Guidelines for social distancing and sanitization.

Brandon Schindler, assistant general manager at Wilderness Resort in the Dells said businesses had a call last week with the health department. He said it offered clarity and resources to their reopening plans.

“Even as recently as a week or two ago we didn't know what the answer was going to be for reopening and what that would look like. So we're happy that we have some answers to that regard and really looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming people back in,” Schindler said.

For Wilderness Resort that means bringing back hundreds of employees and training on new policies and procedures. Those include social distancing practices in lobbies and lines, limits on the number of people in certain spaces, extra cleaning precautions and personal protective equipment for staff.

To reopen some resorts circled the end to Governor Tony Ever's extension of the 'Safer at Home' order — which was supposed to run until May 26 before the Wisconsin State Supreme Court struck down the extension effective immediately last week. For Wilderness Resort however, they felt they needed even more time than that to prepare.

“We wanted to make sure that we had everything we needed in place and ready to go, so May 26th we felt was a little bit too aggressive for us and ultimately settled on June 4th as a realistic opening date,” Schindler said.

For some businesses the reopening will be later than Wilderness, like Great Wolf Lodge which will be closed until June 15. Some are opening sooner, like Kalahari Resort which plans to open on May 27th.

Some resorts are opening this weekend, like Mt. Olympus Resort which plans to open on Saturday.

In a statement, the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau said businesses are taking extra precautions and guests may notice things looking different for a while.

“Whether business owners, employees, residents or visitors, all of us can play a critical role in reducing the likelihood of spreading the virus. As restrictions slowly begin to lift, it's important to act responsibly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others. Following the guidelines from health officials for healthy hygiene and safe travel are our best resource.” part of the WDVCB statement said.

The Sauk County Public Health Department said the key for the region to reopen and do so safely comes in three forms: 1) Individual Responsibility, 2) Business and Organization Accountability, and 3) Public Health Mitigation. The department compares it to a three-legged stool.

“Successfully reopening our communities requires individuals, businesses, and the public health system to take action to protect us all from unnecessary health risks. It will take each of us doing the right thing to keep the three-legged stool standing,” said Tim Lawther, Sauk County Health Officer, in a press release.

Despite the precautions, there is worry that someone could spread the virus at a resort. Schindler said the resort is asking people not to come if they are sick or a family member is sick. He also said if someone should fall ill while staying at the resort they will have a wellness check station with someone able to evaluate them and give the person the next steps. Schindler said if they are asked to leave the resort will refund them their remaining visit.

Wilderness Resort employees are also being screened when arriving to work for health concerns. The resort has a list of it's added precautions on its website: https://www.wildernessresort.com/covid-19/

WDVCB is updating a list of businesses openings or planned-openings on its website: https://portal.wisdells.com/Covid19/