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Governor orders Illinois residents to "stay at home"

​Governor JB Pritzker has ordered Illinois residents to "stay at home." The Executive Order is in effect from 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21, through Tuesday, April 7.

The aim is to keep new cases of COVID-19 from rapidly increasing and ensure the state's health care system remains fully operationial to treat patients in need of urgent care.

Read more here.​

Under the order, individuals may only leave their resident to perform essential activities, defined as for health and safety; for necessary supplies and services; for outdoor activity; for certain types of work; and to take are of others.

​​More specifically, essential activities include:

  • Stores that sell groceries and medicine
  • Organizations that provide charitable and social services
  • Media
  • Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation
  • Financial institutions
  • Hardware and supply stores
  • Post offices and shipping business
  • Laundry services
  • Restaurants for consumption off-premises
  • Transportation services
  • Home-based care and services
  • Residential facilities and shelter
  • Funeral services
  • Auto repair

Essential businesses and operations are mandated to take proactive measures in maintaining social distancing. These measures may include where possible: designating six-foot distance; providing hand sanitizer and sanitizing products; separating operating hours for vulnerable populations and providing online and remote access for employees.

The order provides that all non-essential business and operations must cease.

This document answers some questions about the order.​

A new COVID-19 hotline has been set up by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health. It is (708) 633-3319. Calls about possible infection and symptoms and other questions should be made here.​​

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