Governor J.B. Pritzker’s modified extension of his stay-at-home order, announced April 23, will take effect on May 1 and stay in place until the end of May, according to Senator Jil Tracy.
The 47th District Senator says while the Governor has yet to announce any plans for a regional re-opening of the state’s economy, the modified stay-at-home order does include several recommendations from Senate Republicans such as resuming elective surgeries and allowing parks and some businesses to re-open.
“This is not the news we had hoped for, but it is encouraging that the Governor has acted on some of our concerns. We must of course keep our citizens safe, but all regions in Illinois are not experiencing the same number of COVID-19 cases,” Tracy said. “As such, the restrictions on our businesses should reflect those regional differences. And when this crisis eases, we must have a course of action ready to get our economy back on its feet. People need to have jobs to return to.”
Revised provisions include:
Outdoor Recreation
• State Parks will begin phased re-opening on May 1. More details on which parks will re-open are available at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.
• Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be allowed.
• Golf will be permitted under strict safety and social distancing guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
New Essential Businesses
• Greenhouses, garden centers, and nurseries may re-open.
• Customers and employees must wear a face covering.
• Animal grooming services may re-open.
Non-Essential Retail
• Retail stores designated non-essential businesses may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up and delivery.
Face Coverings
• Individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or mask in public places where they cannot maintain a six-foot social distance.
• Face-coverings will be required in indoor public spaces, such as stores.
• This requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who can medically tolerate a face-covering.
Essential Businesses and Manufacturing
• Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to employees who are not able to maintain social-distancing.
• These businesses must also follow new requirements to maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers.
• This includes occupancy limits and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential manufacturing lines.
Schools
• Educational institutions can establish procedures to pick up necessary supplies and student belongings.
• Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.
Additionally, the Illinois Department of Public Health will be issuing guidance to surgery centers and hospitals to allow for certain elective surgeries for non-life-threatening conditions starting on May 1. Certain criteria will be laid out that facilities must meet, including having proper PPE, ensuring enough space remains available for COVID-19 patients, and testing elective surgery patients to ensure they do not have COVID-19.